South Milwaukee Blog

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South Milwaukee’s incredible religious diversity is a strength. Now imagine what our local houses of worship could do as partners!

Bringing together our congregations to make them stronger, and uniting their members around common problems, to deliver joint solutions: That’s the idea behind our first-ever Faith Leaders Breakfast held earlier this month at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ.

All were invited. Seven congregations were represented. We’re hoping for even more at our next one, and there will be a next one.

This idea got its start with a conversation I had with local resident Ann Fooks years ago at a National Day of Prayer event. She suggested this would be good for South Milwaukee, and that much became clear as we left our first meeting.

We spent a lot of time simply getting to know each other — this is especially good timing because a number of local congregations have either brought in new leaders recently, or are in the process of leadership changes — and hearing about our local congregations.

We also started the discussion on challenges we face as a community. From homelessness and hunger to the opiate crisis and a reduction of services available to our seniors with the recent Interfaith closure, we certainly face our share of problems. But I’m convinced this group will step up — with the power of their congregations behind them — to help us overcome those.

At the very least, there are opportunities for jointly promoting community activities and events our churches already do — such as the third-Thursday meals offered at First Congregational — and perhaps drive education about the wide variety of religions being practiced in South Milwaukee.

Indeed, there is a huge value in simply talking to each other, demystifying what is happening in that church down the block or the mosque across town. In doing so, we realize we are more alike than different, and stronger together than apart.

Friday’s tragedy in New Zealand brought home this point to me. We need less hate and senseless violence everywhere, and that includes South Milwaukee. We need more positive relationships and unity.

I am hopeful this work will yield those, over time. We’re off to a good start.

I love this unique real-world learning opportunity from the South Milwaukee School District. And they need your help!

From Chris Daniels, work-based learning coordinator for the district and youth apprenticeship coordinator for the South Shore Suburban Consortium …

South Milwaukee High School will be hosting an Academic and Career Planning day for juniors and seniors on Tuesday, April 9.  Part of the day will focus on a “Reality Check” event where every junior at SMHS will be introduced to real life financial scenarios to enhance their financial literacy and prepare for life after high school.  Using an app on a smart phone or tablet, students will move around the field house to nine different stations where volunteers will present various scenarios such as car payments, rent, entertainment, health expenses, etc.

20 more volunteers are still needed to make this event possible.  Volunteers should plan to arrive at 7:15 for a continental breakfast and training about their roles for the event.  No advanced preparation is required, just a willingness to work with students and help them on their pathways.  The event will conclude at 11:00.

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please e-mail Chris Daniels or call him at 414-766-5140.

Also during the morning and afternoon of April 9, the high school will be hosting a career and college fair for juniors and seniors where businesses, trades, and colleges can meet with students to talk about job openings, as well as career and education opportunities.  If you are interested in learning more about the event and possibly participating, please click on this link for more detailed information and to sign up.

Thank you for your support of our students!

From the statue foundation …

The organizers of Da Crusher Statue effort have decided that a proper celebration is necessary to coincide with the statue unveiling. “Crusherfest” is a two day festival that will take place at 1101 Milwaukee Avenue in the City of South Milwaukee. Crusherfest will help kick off Wisconsin’s festival season with typical fare: live bands, great food (including fried turkeynecks) and cold beer. In addition to the Crusher statue unveiling, there will be a unique focus on professional wrestling including a chance to meet wrestling legends and hall of famers, live wrestling shows, and a chance to view historic wrestling memorabilia from the Crusher’s era.

Lots happening at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center this month! Check out the full calendar here, including information on these events …

• March 15-19: South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company presents “Singin’ in the Rain.”
• Friday, March 22: South Milwaukee Lions present Daryl Stuermer.
• Saturday, March 23: The SMPAC presents “Bet on the Arts! Game Night,” their annual fundraiser.
• Saturday, March 30: St. Matthew’s presents John McGivern in “One Night of Stories.”

It’s another terrific lineup for community attraction. Support the local arts!

From my previous post on this …

The South Milwaukee Health Department is partnering with Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee and Oak Creek filmmaker Aaron Johnson to host a suicide prevention and awareness event on March 14 at City Hall.

The event begins at 6 p.m. From the Facebook event page …

Learn to recognize the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicidal thoughts and how to offer hope and help with QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training. Also view the award winning documentary, “Hoan Alone,” which was created by Milwaukee’s own Aaron Johnson. QPR is for anyone who wants to know more about keeping loved ones from dying by suicide.

The event includes the South Milwaukee debut of Johnson’s short film, which has already been recognized at dozens of film festivals. It tells the stories of families and first responders impacted by those who took their own lives jumping from the iconic Milwaukee bridge.

Check out a trailer here.

Thank you to our health department for leading the dialog and planning this event. South Milwaukee is blessed to have such a dedicated group of professionals focused on public health issues like this.

And congratulations to Aaron, who attends Trinity Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee. His film is deserving of all the accolades it is receiving. See for yourself on March 14.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The South Milwaukee Police Department is asking that citizens be alert for a child enticement suspect who approached an eleven-year-old girl this afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m., in the 600 block of Pine St.

The man, described as a 40 year old white male with short black hair and a salt and pepper beard, was driving a grey Chevy four door sedan with tinted windows, a large dent in the passenger side door, and a black cross-shaped sticker on the trunk. The vehicle did not have license plates on at the time.

He drove up to the child and told her that he was sent by her mother to pick her up. When the child questioned that, the suspect drove off.

The Police Department has increased their patrols in the area as a result of this. Citizens are asked to be vigilant and call the South Milwaukee Police Department at 414-768-8060 if they have information.

Think warm thoughts, South Milwaukee — like summer days, and nights, of burgers, custard, beer, live music and volleyball at Grant Park Beach.

It promises to be another great summer at this everyday-less-hidden gem.

First, Volley Life opened registration for their volleyball leagues last week. Sign up here. The season starts May 29.

I also connected with the owners of Ferch’s Beachside this week, and Betty confirmed they plan on opening for the summer around May 24, ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Details here.

Add in the Traveling Beer Garden, which returns June 19-July 7, and there is lots to celebrate at Grant Park at these days.

The South Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday voted 7-1 to endorse the project plans and advertise for bids on a four-block streetscaping enhancement project for Milwaukee Avenue.

It’s a significant and exciting step in a multi-year effort to bring a potentially $1.8 million investment to our Main Street and help deliver a new look and feel to our city center. Next up for the council will be discussion of bids as they come in, and ultimately a vote to fund the project, which is expected to start in August, after Evening on the Avenue.

Learn more in the information shared ahead of last week’s public information meeting on the project, and in this NOW story.

I want to thank the approximately 30 people who attended last week’s meeting. It was nice to see so many people engaged in this important decision, offering their feedback and asking questions.

And a special thanks to City Engineer Kyle Vandercar for his efforts in getting this so close to the finish — starting? — line.

Much more information to come, as we continue our work to transform downtown South Milwaukee. Let’s go!

From the South Milwaukee Water Utility …

The South Milwaukee Water Utility has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to increase water rates. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Public Service Commission Hearing Room, on the first floor of the Hill Farms State Office Building, 4288 Madison Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705.

Comments can be submitted for the hearing via the web, orally, written, or mailed (see attached notice above).

• Water rates will be increasing in the near future.  The average residential user’s rate will increase approximately $12.00 per month (or $48 per trimester-billing cycle). This reflects a 38% increase.
• The rate increase is due primarily to our required investment in a large infrastructure project, as well as increases in operating expenses (gas, electric, supplies, and personnel costs, etc.).
• The large infrastructure project was the replacement of the clearwells that are located at the plant. The project is being constructed now and previously approved by the South Milwaukee Common Council. The Department of Natural Resources required this project as our previous clearwells were underground but current regulations require them to be above ground.
• The rates will increase in two steps: The first step will be implemented as early as April 1, and the second step as early as August 1. The rates and implementation schedule are reviewed and determined by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), which is a state regulatory agency.
• The last water rate increase of 3% was in 2013. PSC regulations dictate when the rates can be increased. Unfortunately, the regulations do not allow for incremental increases to avoid drastic increases.
• With the increase, our water rates continue to remain competitive with other similar water utilities.
• Lastly, please note this increase is in addition to a previously approved increase in the sewer rates, which has been reflected on most bills.  This increase was primarily used to fund the construction of a new lift station on North Chicago Avenue.

You can see more details on the water project here.

South Milwaukee steps up again! This time, it’s with peanut butter and other items for Human Concerns, in a drive led by the South Milwaukee Fire Department. From the department …

Thank you to everyone that donated and for the awesome support of our community partners. This unbelievable effort will help put food on the tables of those that are less fortunate, once again, confirming that there are plenty of caring, sharing, giving people in this world.

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Update: Police Chief William Jessup will not be able to join me after all on March 19 due to a conflict, but Capt. Jill Kallay will in his place. See you then!

It’s time for another Coffee with the Mayor! And this time I’m bringing the police chief.

Join me and South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Avenue Coffeehouse, 911 Milwaukee Ave. for an open discussion on what’s happening in South Milwaukee. There is no set agenda, and pretty much anything is fair game. So bring your questions, comments or concerns for either the chief or me, or both, and grab a drink while you’re there.

Thanks to Sara and Aaron for hosting, and for Chief Jessup in joining me!

I love this effort by James Davies and Forward: South Shore. Mark your calendars now for these bicycle rides around the area.

More details on Forward: South Shore on its Facebook page. Its simple purpose is to “advocate for our parks and connected, sustainable communities.” Take a bike ride to support that mission!

The awful news came via an email to supporters on Wednesday morning: The UNISON Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach Program’s South Shore Regional office, based at South Milwaukee’s Trinity Lutheran Church — and nine other Outreach Program offices — was closing.

The news was confirmed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This is a huge blow to hundreds of area senior citizens who rely on this agency for everything from rides to appointments to grocery delivery to yard work. My family has been a part of that work: My son mowed a senior’s lawn last summer through Interfaith, and my dad gave rides.

The program description on the UNISON website says it all …

UNISON’s Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach program engages volunteers to provide valuable one-on-one services for free to thousands of older adults (age 60+) living in Milwaukee County. This ensures our older adult neighbors remain safe, independent and connected in their community.

Without assistance, many older adults would suffer from complications of being isolated without sufficient access to food, medical care and friendship, which could result in premature placement in a long-term care community.  …

The Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach staff and our volunteers are a connection to the community for older adults. They provide information about local resources as well as these vital services:

• Rides to medical appointments
• Rides the grocery store and assistance shopping
• Minor home repairs
• Seasonal outdoor chores
• Friendly in-home visits

Now, that’s gone, at least until Milwaukee County finds another provider of those services.

Indeed, this stems from the county’s decision to revoke nearly $2 million in funding for UNISON following the arrest of the organization’s former director for allegedly misusing funds — she has never been charged — and concerns over UNISON’s internal financial procedures, according to this Journal Sentinel story. UNISON leaders disputed the claims, and an audit showed no evidence of embezzlement.

As local Neighborhood Outreach Program leaders said in an email to supporters today …

The lack of funding had been a major concern during the past few months and we were hopeful we could find a way to continue the program. It did not happen. This does not mean the end of the program; we are hoping that the layoffs and closures will be only temporary. 

We believe funding can be restored if we can find a 501(c)3 organization to absorb our program. There are discussions in progress to move the Interfaith NOP program to a different organization. …

The good news is that the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, County Board Supervisors, donors, supporters, mayors, city health departments, community social workers and churches all support the NOP program. That means the chances are very good for a newer and stronger program to rise.

Let’s hope that comes soon.

In the meantime, I thank everyone who has helped deliver Neighborhood Outreach Program services, from the employees who did God’s work every day to the volunteers who stepped up in so many ways.

And I pray for the seniors who will now have to find help in other ways — or, as I fear, go without that help entirely.

On a cold snowy day, here is some heart-warming news: The Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden is returning to Grant Park this summer!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel …

This year, look for the beer trucks at 13 stops May 8 through Sept. 2. The Roll Out the Barrel Tour stays at each park for three weeks. The Pass Me a Pint Tour stays for two weeks. The Roll Out the Barrel tour stops will be:

• Juneau Park, 900 N. Prospect Ave., May 8 through May 27
• Doctors Park, 1870 E. Fox Lane, Fox Point, May 29 through June 16
• Grant Park, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee, June 19 through July 7 
• Lake Park, 3333 E. Kenwood Blvd., July 10 through 28
• Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th St., West Allis, July 31 through Aug. 25 

The Traveling Beer Gardens are open 5 to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Last call is always 9 p.m. Beers will cost $14.50 for a liter with the glass and $9.50 for a refill. Pints will cost $6.50 with the glass or $5.50 for a refill. 

The Iron Grate BBQ food truck will be open every day on the Roll Out the Barrel tour stops. 

The Beer Garden 5K run series returns with runs beginning at 6 p.m. Dates and parks include Juneau Park on May 23; Froemming Park on June 6; Grant Park on June 27; Lake Park on July 11; Bender Park on Aug. 1; and Greenfield Park on Aug. 22. The cost is $30 a race or $150 for the full series. See silvercirclesportsevents.com.