South Milwaukee Blog

From organizer Brian Morrison …

Get your knowledge ready for Heritage week at the end of July and join Suburban Soles: Guided Nature Walks on Sunday (7/8/18) for The History of South Milwaukee, “Historic Escape” with local historian Nels Munson as we hike the Forked Astor Trail and learn about the Mill Pond and Oak Creek’s role in the development of South Milwaukee, this history of the train trestle and Grand Park Club House, and all the historic houses down Hawthorne ave. Meet at 6th and Milwaukee at 10 a.m.

From the Mayor’s Picnic to bouncy houses to enhanced fireworks to, this year, outdoor wrestling, I’m proud of how we’ve grown our July 4th celebration in South Milwaukee. I’m especially proud of this point: We have been able to do all of this without a single extra dollar of taxpayer money.

Sponsors have made this happen, and please join me in thanking our partners …

• South Shore Family Chiropractic
• Caterpillar
• Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services
• South Milwaukee Ace Hardware
• Mara’s Sewing House
• Nicholson Realty
• MEARS Auctions
• TASC Services
• Pink Bunny Games
• South Milwaukee McDonald’s
• Milwaukee County Parks
• Beer Capitol Distributing
• Sprecher Brewing Co.

See you Wednesday!

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The City of South Milwaukee Police Department will have extra officers in Grant Park during the July 4th celebration. The officers will adopt a zero tolerance policy for persons discharging any type or size firework while in the park. There will be no warnings. If you discharge fireworks in the park, you will be cited, and the fireworks will be confiscated. The fine/forfeiture for fireworks violation in the park is $313.00. The fine for fireworks violations outside of the park is $187.00.

The purpose of the enforcement is not to write more tickets, but to discourage the hazardous situations that are created when untrained citizens bring fireworks that launch flaming and exploding projectiles into the park. These fireworks are then ignited and launched from sections of lawn packed with citizens almost shoulder to shoulder. The persons lighting the fireworks have no idea where they will fly or when they will explode. The sizes of the fireworks coming into the park are getting bigger and more dangerous every year. In recent years blankets of uninvolved persons have been burned by flaming debris and a rocket landed and exploded in an unoccupied baby stroller. There are almost no fireworks that are lawful to discharge in a county park or anywhere else in the City of South Milwaukee.

The South Milwaukee Police Department encourages citizens to come to the park, enjoy the fireworks display provided by the City, and use their own fireworks at another time, when it is safe and lawful to do so. The Department would also like to encourage people to drink responsibly, and not to drink and drive.

From kids activities to the Mayor’s Picnic to music to outdoor wrestling to fireworks, there is something for everyone at our annual July 4th celebration.

What are you most looking forward to? Post your comments.

A couple recent Facebook posts from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

At approximately 10:45 this evening (Saturday, June 30), SMFD’s rescue boats were requested by the Cudahy Fire Department to assist in extricating an adult patient from the Lake Michigan shoreline. The patient was initially brought aboard our inflatable raft and then transferred to the rescue boat. The patient was transported by boat to the SM Yacht Club, where he was placed in Med-10 and then transported to an area hospital for treatment.

And this …

Several weeks ago, SMFD was called to Grant Park Beach for the report of a person in distress in Lake Michigan. The weather conditions that day were very similar to what we expect for this weekend. Fortunately, the teenage girl that had experienced an asthma attack while floating on an air mattress out in the water and was struggling to get ashore was seen by a jet skier and safely brought in. SMFD treated the patient and transported her to a local hospital. At the same time, another patient was encountered experiencing heat exhaustion and she was treated and transported, as well. SMFD would like to remind everyone to respect the waters of Lake Michigan, be safe during all water and beach activities and take precautions against heat-related issues. Especially, STAY HYDRATED!!

Thanks to all of our firefighters who keep us safe!

I’m excited to announce a partnership with Bus Art Project MKE, which is bringing its innovative program to the bus stop at 10th and Milwaukee Avenues.

From the Bus Stop Art MKE website …

MCTS and Bus Art Project MKE are teaming up to highlight talented artists. Bus shelters in Milwaukee County are serving as canvases for artists to showcase their creativity. Bus Art Project MKE collaborated with After Gallery to recruit artists to create the designs. Together they raised enough money to print the art on vinyl clings and install them on the shelters.

I’m excited to help get downtown South Milwaukee added to the list.

Thanks to County Executive Chris Abele for his personal donation to get this program off the ground, and for the Milwaukee County Transit System for getting behind it. Here is a press release of one being unveiled earlier this month.

A JPEG version of the “call for artists” is with this post. Here is a PDF version of the “call.” The South Milwaukee Beautification Committee and a representative from Bus Art Project MKE will judge the winners.

Spread the word, and submit your art!

________________________________________

I’m excited for this unique and innovative partnership, one that will make South Milwaukee safer. Look for media coverage on this in the days ahead …

Cheata Bikes Partners with South Milwaukee Police Department to Get a Motor Bicycle on the Street

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – South Milwaukee police officers will have a new patrol vehicle this summer thanks to an innovative partnership with Cheata Bikes.

Cheata, based in South Milwaukee, has designed a customized motor bicycle to be used by the department from July through October – in time for use during the busy South Milwaukee summer events season.

“We are excited about this collaboration, and will definitely put the bike to good use,” South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup said. “We recently re-introduced our bicycle patrol program, and this will take that to another level, helping us get out into the community more, improve patrols, and better support local events. This will make our job easier.”

Said Ravi Bhagat, the owner of Cheata Bikes: “My enthusiasm for this collaboration stems from the fact that the South Milwaukee Police Department will have an additional tool to engage members of the community in a positive way. We are proud and excited that the South Milwaukee Police Department will be the first in the nation to roll out this program.”

Like all Cheata Bikes, the bike will be equipped a high-quality 49cc, 4-cycle engine, and is street legal. It will be customized with a siren and emergency lights for the department.

The bike will first be used at the city’s July 4th festivities at Grant Park, and you will also likely see it at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, the South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade, South Milwaukee Lionsfest and other events, Jessup said. You will also likely see it on patrol in and around Grant Park and the Oak Creek Parkway, in downtown South Milwaukee and other local neighborhoods, as time allows.

“We can’t wait to get this bike out on the streets of South Milwaukee,” Jessup said. “We thank Cheata Bikes for their continued support.”

ABOUT CHEATA BIKES
Cheata currently hand builds three models (Varuna, Goliath and Apollo). All street legal in many places, they are known for their retro-sheik design and new technology, hitting speeds up to 30 mph and getting 150 miles to the gallon in unleaded gas. Since the launch of Cheata Bikes in 2016, the company has been regularly shipping their bikes all over the U.S. and to other countries like Germany and Saudi Arabia. The company is continuing to experience measured growth by adding dealers regionally and nationally. The company currently has dealers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. “Growing slowly and methodically allows us to maintain a high standard of quality and consistency,” said Director of Sales Ryan Rosenthal. “College students like them for their style, economy and easy bike rack parking. Baby Boomers love them because they are fun, unique and stylish, and others enjoy them as a fun and efficient way to commute, enjoy the outdoors and meet up with friends.”

Check out these South Milwaukee headlines …

• Milwaukee Sausage Co. Finds a Spot in Local Culture (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Cheata Bikes Hopes to Make Milwaukee Famous for Another 2-Wheeled Motorized Bike (TMJ4)
• Remitz-Kolakowski Receives Arts Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award (Kenosha News)
• Mother and Daughter Bitten, One in the Face, by Dog Released by a Landlord in South Milwaukee (NOW)
• South Milwaukee is Hiking its Sewer and Water Rates by 35 Percent (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Looking to Spend $6 Million to Revitalize Portions of Downtown, Former Bucyrus Property (NOW)

Also, the South Milwaukee Police Department has published its weekly crime summary on Facebook. Be sure to like the page for updates.

South Milwaukee, a place for foodies? Why not?

We’ve added rolled ice cream, with our latest food destination — AM Ice Cream at 1232 Milwaukee Avenue. What a unique and delicious take on this classic treat. And the place looks great too.

Congratulations, Lue and Lee Yang for being our latest downtown and small business success story. I’ll be back!

Check out video of the making of my Rice Krispie ice cream, too.

It’s Semifinal Thursday and Championship Friday tonight and tomorrow at South Milwaukee Little League Park … and there is free ice cream too!

Stop by and cheer on our area youth, or just enjoy a night at the ballyard.

While you’re there, thank the volunteer coaches and Little League leaders for all they are doing to enhance this local community institution.

Your water and sewer bills will be going up, in large part to support more than $9 million in necessary upgrades to the two utilities.

Earlier this month, the South Milwaukee Common Council approved a 35 percent sewer increase, effective July 1. The new sewer rates will be phased in based on consumption and the fixed rate.  For example, those receiving their bills around August 1 will see one month’s consumption at the new rate and three month’s at the previous rates. The fixed rates will be pro-rated as well.

In the future, sewer rates will increase 5 percent each year starting in 2019, to help us better “pay as we go” for system upgrades, especially lining and replacement of sewer pipes, where a significant backlog exists.

The initial sewer bill increase equates to an extra $30.05 per four-month billing period for the average homeowner.

A water rate increase is likely coming later this year, as the Wisconsin Public Service Commission is in the process of reviewing the Water Utility’s rate application. Although the final increase is not known at this time, an estimated increase of between 30 to 35 percent is anticipated.

These are the first increases in these charges in more than five years.

The increases primarily reflect additional spending to construct a $3.5 million wastewater lift station and $6.5 million for water pumping station and clearwells at the water utility. I previously reported on details of both of those projects.

The common council approved bids for the wastewater project on June 5. Of note, they came back higher than expected due to competition for local contractors, especially those who specialize in earth moving, the complexity of the project, which calls for the replacement of the aging lift station on North Chicago Avenue.

Importantly, even with the increases, our water and sewer rates will remain competitive. For example, the cost of one year of sewer service for a $150,000 home with a typical consumption of 6,000 cubic feet per year is $348.15 annually. With the increase, that would go to $388.83. That compares with $513 in Oak Creek, $478.50 in Cudahy, and $589.74 in Franklin.

Look for more information on the proposed water increase in coming months.

From the South Milwaukee School Board and SoMilwReferendum.org …

The School District of South Milwaukee School Board is evaluating the district’s financial needs and developing solutions that will strengthen the physical safety of our schools and enhance the educational opportunities provided to our students.

As part of this process, the Board is keeping parents, staff, and community members informed of the opportunities and challenges facing the district. We are developing a solution that meets the community’s needs, is fiscally responsible, and effectively invests in our schools for the years ahead. 

We invite you to learn more by reading answers to frequently asked questions and some background information on the School District of South Milwaukee’s financial history and situation. Do you have a question not addressed here? Please complete this form and we will add all new and relevant questions, along with responses, on a weekly basis.

Finally, we invite you join us for a community information session on Wednesday, June 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the district’s board room. Please enter through Door 8 at the high school (901 15th Avenue).

The Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden arrives in Grant Park (Brown Pavilion, Picnic Area 5A) this Wednesday, and things kick off with a ceremonial keg tapping at 5 p.m. Free beer while supplies last, and live music is planned.

The beer garden runs through July 15, and is open as part of the city’s July 4th festivities.

More details here. And check out the music lineup here.

South Milwaukee remains in the news a lot lately, including some love from Fox 6 for three of our small Milwaukee Avenue businesses.

Click the photo to check out the story and video. Cool stuff.

Check out these additional headlines …

• Explore the Shops, Restaurants on Milwaukee Avenue in South Milwaukee (Fox 6)
• Crime Down “Significantly” in South Milwaukee in 2017; Over a Quarter Down in the First Quarter of 2018 (NOW)
• Anniversary Celebrated at South Milwaukee’s Armenian Cemetery (Milwaukee Armenians)
• “A snapshot of the heart:” Milwaukee County Wins Gold for Excellence in Heart Attack Response (Fox 6, filmed in South Milwaukee)
• Suburbs Bounce Back from Housing Slump (Journal Sentinel)

Also, check out coverage on the looming sale of the former Bucyrus campus from Biz Times, the Business Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Just north of 13th and Rawson Avenues, down the road leading to the water tower and the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church parking lot, is a small plot of land not known to many, but with special significance to our city, state and country.

It’s the St. Haroutune Armenian Cemetery, one just three in the United States, an example of our city’s strong Armenian heritage.

I was happy to join with members of Holy Resurrection Armenian Church in South Milwaukee and others on Sunday to recognize the cemetery’s 70 years.

I was also blessed to get a local Armenian history lesson … and came away with a renewed understanding and respect for this group of immigrants.

Armenian families first came to South Milwaukee as early as 1910, often to work at Bucyrus-Erie and other local factories. Soon more than 300 families called South Milwaukee home. They founded Soorp Haroutune Armenian Apostolic Church in 1924 (the first Armenian church in Wisconsin), and the cemetery in 1948.

More details here.

Today, Holy Resurrection is one of just four Armenian churches in the state, and it’s the third oldest in the country. And our Armenian influences remain strong.

As I told attendees on Sunday, before I enjoyed some of the terrifically prepared Armenian food from Muskies Gourmet House I am always happy to celebrate our diverse past, the melting pot of people who built South Milwaukee and make it what it is today. This city was built by immigrants, and that diversity makes us stronger.

Look no further than the families of those buried at St. Haroutune’s.