South Milwaukee Blog

Check out the information below, and we’ll see you August 24!

Update: A few honorable mentions that also scored highly: 601 Willow Lane, 3400 Willow Lane, 1741 Lakeview Ave., 421 Hawthorne Ave. 1011 Aspen Ave.

I’m proud to announce the 2019 South Milwaukee Beautification Committee Curb Appeal Award winners!

The awards are presented annually to businesses, homeowners and civic organizations who devote extra effort to their property’s beautification, through landscaping and other street-facing efforts.

We had nearly 50 nominations this year, and it was difficult judging for the committee. Judging criteria include utilization of color, appropriateness for the architecture of the structure, originality, lawn upkeep, and decorative exterior structures. Properties are also judged on the overall exterior appearance of their buildings. 

Each of the homeowners will receive $50, a yard sign and digital media recognition. The businesses will receive everything but the cash prize.

Next up? Rocketober and Light up South Milwaukee awards. More details here … start planning your entries now!

Here is the survey link.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

At 1:30am on Thursday, August 15th, shots were fired in South Milwaukee, near the intersection of 10th and Milwaukee. We believe the shots were fired during a confrontation between two adult men but based on our initial investigation we do not believe anyone was struck by gunfire. We are continuing to investigate the incident and ask that anyone with information contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at 414-768-8060.

Check out these South Milwaukee and South Shore headlines …

• Avoid Swimming in Lake Michigan as Dangerous Waves, Life-Threatening Currents Pound Beaches, Weather Service Says (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• “It’s Really Hard:” Sister, Girlfriend Speak Out After Swimmer’s Body Recovered at Warnimont Park (Fox 6)
• Cop on a Rooftop Raising Money for Special Olympics Wisconsin (WBAY)
• Former Cudahy Mayor John Hohenfeldt Pleads Guilty in Forgery Case, Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail (NOW)
• Sikh Temple Shooting Anniversary Inspires Diversity Celebration (NOW)
• Caterpillar July Retail Sales up 4%, Resources Industries Peak (Yahoo! Finance)

From the press release …

The Bucyrus Foundation and City of South Milwaukee are proud to announce recipients of the 2019 Bucyrus Foundation Community Grants.

The program was announced earlier this year, with the Bucyrus Foundation pledging $25,000 in support to nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life of residents in the city, or help attract new visitors, residents or businesses to South Milwaukee.

• American Legion Post 27
• Bucyrus Oldtimers Association
• City of South Milwaukee July 4th event
• City of South Milwaukee Beautification Committee
• Friends of Grant Park
• South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade Foundation
• South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company
• South Milwaukee Human Concerns
• South Milwaukee Industrial Museum
• South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council

Said Mayor Erik Brooks: “These are important and necessary investments that will make a real difference for a number of vital community organizations, programs and events. I am grateful the Bucyrus Foundation has stepped up to support these institutions.”

Said former Bucyrus CEO and Foundation Chairman Tim Sullivan: “The Bucyrus Foundation and I are thrilled to fund these South Milwaukee organizations. These grants reflect the commitment Bucyrus and our employees had in passionately supporting community organizations.”

The Milwaukee County Transit System is proposing cutting two of the three routes serving South Milwaukee — the 48 and 52 — as part of an overall $5.9 million reduction in service in the system.

That is according to this article posted this morning on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel website.

This is incredibly frustrating and disappointing news, especially this comment, where the transit director appears to bring race into the decision and in doing so pits the City of Milwaukee vs. suburbs.

MCTS approached the cuts by trying to affect the fewest riders possible and with concern for racial equity, MCTS leaders said.

“If you look at us being stewards of services for low-income, minority populations that have endured 400 years of racism, it’s hard for us to say we’re going to take two miles of a bus route off of this road in the county so that we can preserve park-ride service for — and I’m overgeneralizing — a suburbanite who can afford their own car,” said Dan Boehm, MCTS president and managing director.

Now is not the time to cut transit service. A strong multi-modal transportation network — one that offers more than cars as ways to get to work, shopping or just generally around town — is more critical than ever in attracting and retaining businesses and residents, and connecting people with jobs and employers with people.

Thankfully, this is not the final word. We will fight this, in partnership with others. For now, I welcome your thoughts …

How would this impact you and those you know? Post your comments.

Back from vacation, and here are some headlines from the past week …

• A Greenfield Pinup Model Just Opened a Retro Fashion Boutique in South Milwaukee (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Officials Call off Search for Missing 19-year-old Swimmer in Lake Michigan off Cudahy (Journal Sentinel)
• Man Prosecutors Say Stabbed Woman in Wheelchair 116 Times Committed for Life (Fox 6)
• Milwaukee-Area Families Finalize Adoptions With Special Visitor Ty Montgomery (CBS 58)
• William Shatner Offers 200+ Lots of Personally Worn Items to Benefit Charity (PR Newswire)

Also, a big congratulations to South Milwaukeean and friend James Davies, who has been named executive director of Bublr Bikes. It’s a well-deserved promotion, and I’m sure he will take the nonprofit bike sharing program to new heights. Now let’s work on getting some stations in the South Shore …

From Milwaukee County Supervisor Shea, via his Facebook page …

The Parks Department reached out to my office today to share the sad news that South Milwaukee’s Grobschmidt Pool suffered a large and destructive water main break overnight. Workers are focusing on assessing damage and repair in the near term. The pool will be closed for the foreseeable future. Please let your friends and neighbors know that we will need to use Sheridan instead for the time being. I’ll share updates as I receive them.

The county tells me it was its service that broke. Nonetheless, it’s a blow to this South Milwaukee institution. I’ll keep you posted.

A letter from Dr. Jeff Weiss, the new South Milwaukee School District Superintendent, shared with district families and staff last week …

Dear School District of South Milwaukee Families and Staff,

I hope everyone is enjoying this great summer weather! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Jeff Weiss, and on July 1 st I became the superintendent for the School District of South Milwaukee.

My educational background includes six years as the superintendent for the Richmond School District in Sussex, WI. Prior to that, I worked as an administrator for nine years in the Racine Unified School District. I taught English and reading in Illinois for eight years and for one year in Racine. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in English and secondary education from UW-Parkside, my Master’s Degree in reading from Carthage College, and my administrative licenses and Doctorate from Cardinal Stritch University.

A lot of great work has been done to build trust with the community and provide quality literacy instruction for our students. The high level of community support for schools make South Milwaukee a very unique and special place. The referendum that was passed in November allows the District to address three key areas: physical and emotional safety of our students, expanding student learning opportunities, and maintaining existing programs and facilities. The support that the community of South Milwaukee provides its schools is very impressive. Also, the District’s commitment to quality literacy instruction is another area that makes South Milwaukee a great place for families and students.

In addition to the school year academic and extra-curricular events, I am excited for the opportunity to meet our community members and staff at the upcoming events:

• August 13: Community Meet & Greet at the Avenue Coffeehouse, 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M
• August 14: Community Night Out at City Hall, 5:30 P.M

The School District of South Milwaukee is a great place for our students because we enjoy the support of our community and the dedication of our staff. This year, the focus of our work will be on culture and equity so that all of our students learn at their highest levels. Enjoy the rest of the summer; this is going to be a great school year!

Sincerely, Dr. Jeff Weiss

Momentum is growing in downtown South Milwaukee. So are tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, zucchini and some beautiful annuals.

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You’ve probably noticed Growing South Milwaukee’s new community garden at 1308 Milwaukee Ave. It’s a welcome addition to our city center, a creative and attractive reuse of a vacant property that also brings the important mission of this organization to life …

“Growing South Milwaukee has a deep rooted mission to create and maintain community gardens that inspire all people to grow.”

The vision for this community garden was launched by Leah Minue at a public meeting in 2015. Within a few months, a team created a mission for the project, surveyed the community for interest, and filed for 501c3 non profit status.

In 2016, the planning phase began. They were given leads for several different public greenspaces for their garden’s home, but none of those spaces were a good fit. The team continued searching for vacant land, knowing the perfect situation would eventually come along. 

Throughout 2017, they promoted their donation incentive program, set and met aggressive fundraising goals, created rules for the future gardeners, and started searching for privately owned greenspaces.

The group’s perseverance paid off.

In 2018, they were introduced to the lot at 1308 Milwaukee Ave., and immediately began negotiating a lease for use of the land. When the garden design came together, they sold all 28 of their plots to eager gardeners. The beds were tilled and organic nutrients were added to get them ready for planting.

This year brings forth their first growing season, and as the community gardens, larger pieces of their final vision, like the forecourt, are starting to come together. All of these projects are done by volunteers and completely funded by donations and grants. Compost stations, a shaded workshop and rain water collection are next on their to-do list. 

So, how does the community garden work? Members are allowed to garden daily, from dawn until dusk during the growing season. Non-members may enjoy viewing the garden from the sidewalk and are allowed to stroll through via the grassy walkways. More details on their website.

It’s a non-traditional use for a downtown parcel, and I love it!

A special thanks to Growing South Milwaukee board — President Leah Minue, Treasurer James Davies, and Directors Brooke Gilley, Bacardi Arnold, Collin Bischoff, Emma Robinson and Matt Minue — for planting these seeds of change in our downtown, and city.

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Chet Grobschmidt, 99 years young, gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance on Sunday, Aug. 11: The opportunity to throw out a first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game. Let’s come together to cheer on our former mayor!

I spoke to the Brewers this week, and there are a limited number of tickets available for the 1:10 game against the Texas Rangers, which also happens to be Josh Hader Bobblehead Day.

I’m pulling together a group order. Join us! Tickets are $25 each (Terrace Reserved seats), and all ticketed fans get the bobblehead.

Interested? Register here by 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

I’ll then buy tickets and get reimbursed at the game.

Let’s get a big group together to celebrate this South Milwaukee icon.