Tag Archives: Pat Jursik

December 6, 2012 · 5:49 pm

Another Step Taken In Extending 794

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission added the extension of the Lake Parkway to the Year 2035 Regional Transportation Plan, unanimously approving the six-mile project at its meeting Wednesday.

Check out the press release from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, a champion of this project, and coverage from Oak Creek Patch.

Jursik’s statement:

An extended Lake Parkway will provide the necessary transportation infrastructure to promote economic development in Milwaukee County’s South Shore and around the Port of Milwaukee and General Mitchell International Airport.  We are part of the increasingly powerful lake corridor mega-region that stretches from Gary, Indiana through Chicago, Illinois to Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.  I call upon State elected officials to fund this important corridor project.

Indeed, that is the hardest part about this important initiative. I’ll keep you posted.

3 Comments

Filed under Construction, Milwaukee County, Transportation

Tagged as , ,

November 27, 2012 · 7:36 pm

Milwaukee County News Update: 2013 Budget Update, College Avenue, 794 And More

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her new E-news update, with items on the 2013 county budget, College Avenue, the Cudahy native court house Christmas tree and this one on the 794 extension …

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) completed technical work for the potential extension of the Lake
Parkway. Federal and State agencies have reviewed the Air Quality Conformity Analysis. In early November, SEWRPC’s Advisory Committee on Regional Transportation Planning and SEWRPC’s Planning and Research Committee recommended that the Lake Parkway extension be added to the regional transportation plan. SEWRPC itself will consider the extension on December 5 when the Commission meets at General Mitchell International Airport.

Check out the full report here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as , , ,

November 4, 2012 · 11:25 pm

Parks Update: Lakefront Parks Joint Meeting, Seven Bridges Repair

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s eNews update has a couple of updates involving Grant Park, including word of joint meeting of lakefront park Friends groups set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Grant Park clubhouse.

The goal: increased cooperation around common issues like erosion, beach health and safety.

There is also good news on Grant Park’s Seven Bridges:

The Parks Department plans to restore the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges soon. The contractors hope to begin construction in late November and complete work by the end of 2012.  While Seven Bridges shall remain open to the public, some areas will be obstructed to accommodate heavy machinery.  Reconstruction of the large lakeside bridge will be prioritized.   The crew will then repair the footbridge by Wil-O-Way.

To protect this sensitive area, we need to use the official paths.  Unfortunately, visitors have climbed down and eroded the ravine while the bridge has been out of service.

4 Comments

Filed under Milwaukee County, Parks

Tagged as , ,

November 2, 2012 · 7:58 pm

Jursik: “Disappointed” With Proposed Budget

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik shares her thoughts on the proposed 2013 county budget in her latest eNews update.

Check it out here. From it:

The County Executive’s proposed budget includes some upgrades for our district. We will see traffic cameras at Layton & Packard Avenues. Grant Park’s Wil-O-Way will receive needed repairs. The Oak Creek Parkway in South Milwaukee will have lighting replaced in advance of expected road repairs in future years. I have worked with our parks and environmental engineering staff to fund stream bank stabilization for the Oak Creek in 2014. This bank restoration will keep much sediment from accumulating in the Creek and in the Mill Pond downstream. However, in many ways, I was disappointed with the proposed budget.

The update also includes on park patrolling, paramedic funding, long-range facility planning and other issues.

The item on paramedic funding is especially good news:

The FPA Committee added $500,000 in funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), bringing the total allocation to $2 million.  The countywide EMS program is a successful cooperative model that includes training, certification and continuing education of Emergency Medical Technicians (basic and paramedic).  Milwaukee County EMS hosts the Communications Center which provides consultation to  paramedics onsite and shares information among dispatched paramedics, ambulances, medical control physicians, hospitals and other emergency personnel.  Milwaukee County EMS uses state-of-the-art technology to develop electronic patient care records. 

This program improves the quality and efficiency of emergency response in our community. Under the EMS program, eight municipalities have contractual agreements to provide Advanced Life Support (paramedic-level emergency medical services).  The City of South Milwaukee provides service to Cudahy while St. Francis is served by Milwaukee.  Oak Creek provides service in its own city and back-up service to other cities.  This is truly a metro government approach.

The County Board will likely adopt a budget on Monday.

1 Comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as , ,

October 11, 2012 · 8:01 pm

South Milwaukee’s Connection To The Foo Fighters, Jursik Address Sheriff And More Local Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

Leave a comment

Filed under Headlines

Tagged as , ,

October 4, 2012 · 9:59 pm

Summarizing Growth Plans: See What’s Happening In South Shore Economic Development

I was happy to attend Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s South Shore Option 2.0 Economic Development Forum last week.

It was informative and eye-opening — a great way to get up to speed on what other area South Shore communities are doing when it comes to growing their cities. And it’s a lot.

Jursik has posted all of the presentations here. Here is South Milwaukee’s.

I’d like to call particular attention to the presentation on the MKE Regional Business Park, the complex at the former 44oth Airlift Wing on East College Avenue that is just now coming on line. With its one-of-a-kind offering of vacant buildings and vacant land — as well as its prime location — it has strong potential to change the game when it comes to South Shore economic development.

See that presentation here.

And thanks to Pat for hosting this event. I am already looking forward to 2013.

Leave a comment

Filed under Cudahy, Milwaukee County, Oak Creek

Tagged as , ,

October 3, 2012 · 6:39 pm

Jursik Publishes October E-News Update

County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her latest E-News Update, and it includes updates on the the budget, Lake Parkway extension, televised County Board meetings, Milwaukee County Park patrols and the Grant Park roadway.

Check it out here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as

September 26, 2012 · 8:10 pm

Reminder 2.0: Economic Development Forum Thursday

Just a reminder about Thursday night’s South Shore Option 2.0 economic development forum at the Oak Creek Police Department …

The event, organized by South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik, starts at 6 p.m.

Learn more in my previous post and in this press release. From the release:

This forum will highlight the dynamic plans formulated by the CDAs with the leadership of their City Councils and Mayors. Jursik will provide updates on the Hoan Bridge, Lake Parkway (794) extension planning, the Aerotropolis initiative and the outlook for public transit. The new MKE Regional Business Park will also be introduced. Additionally, each agency will staff booths displaying aerial maps, mock-ups, elevations and planning materials of current or upcoming projects for public viewing and inquiries in an open-house setting. Information about the concept of Tax Incremental Financing will also be available.

See you there!

Leave a comment

Filed under Cudahy, Milwaukee County, Oak Creek

Tagged as , ,

September 8, 2012 · 2:50 pm

Guest Blog … Pat Jursik On The South Shore Option 2.0: Forum For Economic Development

The following is an excerpt from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik’s E-News update on the South Shore Option 2.0: Forum for Economic Development.

It is my pleasure to invite all constituents to attend a unique, one-stop economic development forum.  This year’s event will be held at the Oak Creek Police Department. 

Representatives from the cities of Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy and St. Francis as well as Milwaukee County and MKE Regional Business Park will discuss their current development efforts. Each city/agency will provide an overview of their initiatives and answer questions from the public.  In addition, plans will be displayed at tables for public viewing in an open house setting.

This forum is a rare opportunity for citizens to be a part of planning for multi-community development in one meeting and to learn about efforts toward economic growth in our South Shore communities. 

  • Where: Oak Creek Police Department Courtroom (301 West Ryan Road, Oak Creek, 53154)
  • When: Thursday, September 27, 2012 (6 to 8 p.m.)

Please click here for a printable flyer.

1 Comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as ,

September 4, 2012 · 9:04 pm

Jursik’s E-News Update: Check Out Items On Economic Development, Grant Park, 794, Airport Issues And More

South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik has published a new edition of her E-News update, and it includes a number of noteworthy news items, including an update on the Lake Parkway extension and the scheduling of a “South Shore Option 2.0” economic development forum for Thursday, Sept. 27.

Check it out here. And here is the 794 update …

Lake Parkway (794) Extension
In May 2012, the County Board recommended extension of the Lake Parkway (State Trunk Highway 794) through a resolution which was signed by the County Executive. Following through on the process, I spoke with the WisDOT Southeast Regional Director and Engineering Chief as well as the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) Director in August. Several steps are required before an extension can occur.

  • SEWRPC must complete an Air Quality Conformity Analysis regarding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This analysis is already being conducted. A final analysis should be available in September or October 2012.
  • Once this Air Quality Analysis is finished, the technical advisory committee will be asked to make a final recommendation to the SEWRPC board. The SEWRPC board must receive the advisory committee’s recommendation and then take final action. This may conclude by December 2012.
  • WisDOT is concerned about limited funding. WisDOT is completing many projects around the state.
  • Racine and Kenosha Counties would also need to reach an agreement to demote some current state highways to local status and to embrace a “Lake Corridor.” 
  • An extension of Lake Parkway would probably need to connect to Highway 31 and, ultimately, to Highway KR at the Racine/Kenosha border, according to the perspective of WisDOT.

We will need to work cooperatively with Racine and Kenosha to establish any such Lake Corridor. Our neighbors in Racine and Caledonia have already expressed interest in extending the Lake Parkway. I welcome further dialogue about this issue.

Leave a comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as , ,

August 21, 2012 · 9:58 pm

More On Black’s Firing And Other Headlines

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke with South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik about the firing Milwaukee County Parks Director on Monday. According to the story:

Supervisor Jursik, who is a lawyer, said she feared that Abele’s firing of Black exposed the county to potential damages. Jursik said Black likely has a good argument that her 2011 raise given to keep her in her county job created a contractual right to her job. If a judge or jury agreed, the county would be forced to argue the firing was justified for cause, Jursik said.

Check out the full story here … and these other local headlines.

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, including reference to a $3,000 theft from a safe on Southtown Place.

Leave a comment

Filed under Headlines

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 17, 2012 · 9:56 am

“Not Easily Replaced”: Pat Jursik’s Reaction To Sue Black’s Firing

I can’t think of an elected official who more passionately supports the Milwaukee County Parks System than Pat Jursik, our county supervisor.

So I wondered what Pat had to say in response to the unexpected firing of Parks Director Sue Black on Thursday. Here is what she wrote to me …

Sue Black was recently given a raise by the county executive.  She was re-approved in her appointment by the board just last Spring.  With year-after-year budget cuts, Sue Black found ways to keep the parks dept. as vital and responsive as possible.  I talked to Sue Black often about more services for our South Shore Parks.  She always responded and, while reminding me of the budget cuts, she found ways to be responsive.  Sue Black has 10 years of community contacts, corporate contacts, sweat equity and a history built through hard work in our community.  Sue Black is not easily replaced.  The county executive owes our community a better explanation than he has given.  He has not shared his thought on a “new direction” with the board, but this damage is now done.  Chris Abele needs to be accountable for what he did and why.

Of course, I’d like to know what you think about this. Post your comments below!

 

6 Comments

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as , ,

August 1, 2012 · 10:26 pm

Jursik Publishes New County News Update

South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her August Enews newsletter, with items on Layton Avenue improvements, an extension of a bus route, an update on the Lake Parkway extension and information on an advisory referendum being placed on all Milwaukee County ballots this November.

Check out the newsletter here.

Here is what Pat wrote about the proposed Downtown Transit Center project:

The County Board passed a resolution authorizing negotiations with Barrett Visionary Development for the purchase of the Downtown Transit Center site.  This resolution addresses many concerns.  It affirms that: the County Board expects to receive fair market value; the Economic Development Director must more closely investigate whether any of the site is filled lakebed subject to the Public Trust Doctrine; and the Economic & Community Development Committee will solicit public input prior to making any final recommendation to the County Board.

The Board also passed a related resolution which aims to protect an open and equitable procedure for the sale of public property.

The recent process used at the transit site was flawed.  It lacked transparency and appeared to be a sweetheart deal for a chosen developer who hired an expensive lobbyist to influence decision makers.  The process was further flawed by lack of a thorough public hearing due in large part to the actions of the County’s Economic Development Director, an out-of-County resident seemingly unconcerned with seeking input from the citizens of Milwaukee County.  To the credit of our Board Chairwoman, Marina Dimitrijevic, a compromise was reached which will assure compliance with the Public Trust Doctrine, aim for fair market value and include a public hearing.

Leave a comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as , , ,

July 12, 2012 · 4:40 pm

Jursik Works To Slow Proposed Transit Center Redevelopment Project

Update: The project will apparently appear on the agenda at a special meeting, according to the Journal Sentinel.

A dispute between County Executive Chris Abele and South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik means a key county committee won’t consider a high-rise proposed for the Transit Center site until September.

Here is the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story on the delay. From it:

Jursik said the approval process was badly damaged when Abele decided to announce his recommendation of developer Rick Barrett’s plan. Barrett’s high-rise proposal is one of four competing ideas filed by developers for the 2.2-acre transit center site, 909 E. Michigan St.

The committee should have first reviewed all four proposals in closed session to protect their proprietary information, Jursik said. The state’s public meetings law allows such closed sessions for that purpose, but requires any votes to then be taken in open session.

That step would have given committee members a chance to evaluate the proposals and decide which one was the best, Jursik said.

Now that Abele has recommended Barrett’s proposal, Jursik said she’s hearing from opponents. She said delaying a committee vote on authorizing negotiations until the next committee meeting, which is Sept. 17 because of the board’s August recess, will allow for more public comment.

County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic has joined Jursik in supporting the delay.

Leave a comment

Filed under Milwaukee County

Tagged as , , ,

June 10, 2012 · 9:54 pm

More Headlines

Check out these local headlines:

Also, state Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report. The headline: “Looking Forward.”

Leave a comment

Filed under Headlines

Tagged as , ,