GREENDALE AREA NEWS 2008
GREENDALE TURNS 70
On May 1, 1938, the first residents of Greendale moved into their new homes and on May 1, 2008 Greendale Life sponsored a 70th Anniversary Party that took place at Heinemann's, 5601 Broad St.The party was a big success, people said they had a great time, had great conversations and saw some very interesting exhibits, movies, photos, books, plus a true "Greendale Original Resident" who brought some early documents to share.
Village President John Hermes spent a great deal of time with the attendees and delivered a wonderful speech about Greendale's history and unique community spirit.
Also in attendance were State Rep. Jeff Stone and Milwaukee County Supervisor Joe Sanfellipo.
The Greendale Historical Society brought some great exhibits and assisted with the celebration.
In addition to sandwiches and snacks there was a delicious green and white butter cake from Sentry with big green roses that was served to all the guests.
The May 1st party was only just the beginning for a year full of 70th anniversary celebrations. Stay tuned.
Mariner Family Reunion Planned
A Mariner Family Reunion is planned for all former Drill Team, Color Guard, and Drum & Bugle Corps members on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm at Ray & Dot's Tap/Greendale American Legion Post 416, 6351 W. Grange Avenue, Greendale, WI.Former Mariners have been working for many months to collect past rosters ranging from 1955 through 1995 in order to contact and invite all former members and their families to this special event.
Former members are encouraged to visit the Mariner website at www.spectaclecitymariners.net to register and obtain event updates.
Village President Hermes on USBC Move
Exclusive to Greendale Lifeby Ron Faiola
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC), currently headquartered in Greendale announced last week that they will leave Greendale for a new home in Arlington, Texas.
For the past several months rumors flew about the USBC wanting to relocate to Texas. All of the stories dealt with the loss to Milwaukee's image of the "Bowling Capital of the US."
The story we weren't getting was about how the USBC shocked Greendale Village government with their announcement to move.
Greendale Life talked with Village Board President John Hermes, who explained what happened in the weeks leading up to the recent decision by the USBC to leave.
USBC TO LEAVE
Milwaukee 7, Mayor Barrett Denied
The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors has given approval to announce its intention to relocate the organization's headquarters from Greendale, Wisconsin, to Arlington, Texas, where it will reside with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America.The decision, made during a meeting Sunday in Atlanta, came after presentations were made by officials from Arlington and Milwaukee, the homes of the BPAA and USBC, respectively. About 200 jobs will be affected in the Milwaukee area.
A group of business leaders known as the Milwaukee 7 and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett traveled to Atlanta to offer proposals keep the USBC in the metro Milwaukee area. Sites in Cudahy and along Grange Avenue near the airport were proposed to the USBC but nothing was proposed to keep the USBC in Greendale.
According to Greendale Village Trustee Jim Strange, "Greendale has communicated with the Bowling Congress. Greendale is at a disadvantage, we have nothing to offer them other than a property tax rebate. The other communities can offer money, TIFs etc. but by law our hands are tied."
USBC President Jeff Boje said, "This is a great day for bowling. Relocating to Arlington would allow for the creation of an international bowling campus. We can set the foundation for tremendous growth and opportunities for decades to come. "Both cities made excellent presentations and either would have been good locations for USBC. The Board decided Arlington would be the best location should the USBC receive approval of investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund."
The USBC said that an additional factor for the Board's decision was ease of travel. They say that Dallas/Fort Worth International makes it much easier for those traveling to and from the international bowling campus, especially those traveling internationally. Milwaukee and Mitchell International airport were criticized by the executive director of the BPAA president John Berglund, as being "poor" and "second-tier."
What do you think? See our Editorial Page and add your comments.
Tree City USA
12th Straight Year
The Village of Greendale has once again been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the year 2007. This marks the Village's twelfth straight year of receiving this national recognition.The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day Observance. In the Village of Greendale, Public Works Director Carl Tisonik and Forester Robert Ziarek guide the Village's forestry program. Their efforts and the efforts of the entire Department of Public Works have allowed the Village to enjoy the beauty and benefits of its greenspaces, thoroughfares, street trees and parkways.
"Trees and their many benefits to our communities have never been more important," said John Rosenow, President of the National Arbor Day Foundation. "Proper tree planting and care today will help ensure cleaner, healthier, more tree-filled cities and towns tomorrow."
"Tree City USA is a recognized standard of an effective community forestry program," Rosenow continued. "And the basis of such a program is a commitment to ongoing improvement and renewal."
Village Manager Todd Michaels said, "we're very proud to receive the Tree City Award. Commitment to natural areas and quality of life issues is the foundation of the Village."
Northway to Connect to Southridge?
As part of the planned 2009 renovation of Grange Avenue, the Greendale Public Works Committee has forwarded a proposal to have a widened Northway and Grange Ave. intersection. The plans call for traffic lights, pedestrian islands, special left turn only lanes and the possibility of a future entrance to Southridge from Northway.The Grange Avenue renovations will include the removal of traffic lights at 70th and Grange which is the current entrance to Southridge from Grange, and traffic signals at 68th and Grange and 60th and Grange. Currently the 68th Street and 60th Street intersections are controlled by stop signs. Initially there was talk of a roundabout being built at 60th and Grange, however plans were scrapped when it became apparent that firetrucks would not fit into the roundabout.
The Village Board will consider the Public Works recommendation at the regularly scheduled March 4 Village Board Meeting.
This story is still developing and Greendale Life will update as needed.
Click Here for an Image of the Plans
US Bowling Congress to Leave Greendale?
The US Bowling Congress (USBC) is headquartered in Greendale, however news reports indicate that USBC officials are planning a move to Arlington, Texas.The president of the USBC, Jeff Boje', says it is not a done deal, however he was not satisfied with the discussions between the USBC and the Village of Greendale. Those discussions may have been over a planned expansion of the USBC facility on South 76th Street.
The Arlington, Texas location includes proximity to Six Flags Amusement park, the Texas Rangers ballpark and future home of the Dallas Cowboys. However negotiations are still taking place over tax incentives and a parcel of land that needs to be purchased.
According to JSOnline blogger, Dan Walker, the USBC will be making a decision on Monday, March 3. The Milwaukee 7, a group of business leaders dedicated to promoting Milwaukee has offered a detailed proposal for two sites in Milwaukee instead of the Greendale location.
What do you think? See our Editorial Page and add your comments.
Political Flyers Placed in Mailboxes
by Ron FaiolaA political flyer paid for by Friends of Karl Kastner was placed in Greendale mailboxes on Sunday, January 27.
The United States Postal Service rules state that, "No part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by mail."
Kastner, who is running for the Milwaukee County Supervisor 17th District seat vacated by Dan Devine, responded by apologizing and saying that the issue was a "miscommunication."
Kastner went on to say, "I had my children out, I instructed them to put them [flyers] on the outside. It will never happen again."
The Kastner flyers in the mailboxes were made more noticable by the fact that on the same day, other local candidates had placed flyers in between screen doors or on door handles instead of the mailbox.
High School Gym Atrium Proposal
by Ron FaiolaJanuary 21, 2008
A proposal for a privately funded atrium entrance for the Greendale High School gymnasium has been presented to the Greendale School Board for approval.
Greendale resident and high school parent, Bruce Luetzow, is spearheading the fundraising for the project. According to Luetzow's website, the new gym entrance would provide improved accessibility and traffic flow, space for a concession stand, ADA restrooms and a place to showcase the school's trophies and banners.
Luetzow told Greendale Life, "We have to get the project approved by the School Board. With all the other projects in the community also asking for donations and our economy on the soft side - pledges have been good, but we will not know final numbers until the end of April. Most of the people contacted have expressed a positive reaction. If the School Board says no - the committee will have to address that. But I can tell you this - we wouldn't give up. This Greendale High School Gym Atrium Entrance is a project that is long overdue."
In an email to Greendale Life, Greendale School Board President Judy Fons wrote, No decision will be made for awhile. Fund raising has begun for lots of things and we need to sort all of this out. Our main goal for the renovation was to address the safety and academic needs of our students first. As we move forward for the new budget cycle we have many things to look at.
The reported total cost for the new gym atrium entrance is $793,000. According to an email posted on the Greendale Forum, Luetzow reports that the project has received, "...over $120,000 in hard dollar pledges. We have about $40,000 in item needed pledges." Luetzow goes on to write in his email, "I will be going b/4 the school board late April. The committee will continue collecting pledges until that meeting. If they say 'yes' - then we would start building in May. If they say 'no' - then it's over."
The Gym Atrium website also notes that, "If the Gym Entry Project does not happen - your check will not be returned but will be used to upgrade the school." The website also notes that donations are tax deductible and pledge forms should be mailed to Erin Green at the Greendale School District office on south 51st Street.
When asked about the donations being tax deductible, Luetzow said, "It's fully tax deducible because the money will be paid directly to the GHS Gym Atrium Entry Project as a donation to the school, when the project is approved. Right now we are asking for pledges. If the project is approved by the School Board in late April, we will then call all of those who have pledged money for this project - asking them to now mail in their checks. Checks will go to the School District address."
This story is still developing and Greendale Life will update as soon as possible.
New Windows for Village Hall
As part of a Village Hall renovation project, workers from the J.F. Cook Co. began replacing the front windows on the building Wednesday, January 16. Village Manager Todd Michaels notes that residents will see a more significant difference in the building once they see all of the new windows installed by the beginning of February.J.F. Cook Co.'s renovation work on Village Hall began in the fall of 2007 with the renovation of the clock tower. According to Michaels, the total price of the project is $284,311 which includes new historically correct windows approved by the State for historic buildings, new doors, rebuilding of deteriorated portions of the cupola and front fascia and all exterior painting.
The J.F. Cook Co. has also replaced the windows in Milwaukee's City Hall and the County Historical Building.
Michaels said that some Village Hall staff has been temporarily relocated during the project.
Click on the thumbnail image for a larger photo. (Photos courtesy of Todd Michaels.)
"Shop Greendale 1st" Awards $400
The Greendale Chamber of Commerce and the Greendale Village Business Association (GVBA) recently finished awarding 12 "Shop Greendale 1st" raffle winners a total of $400 in gift certificates for use at Chamber and GVBA businesses.Approximately 750 entries were collected by select businesses in the Greendale area. Six of the winners are Greendale residents, five are from Franklin and one is located in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin.
Since 2005, the "Shop Greendale 1st" campaign has successfully been used to actively promote shopping at Greendale businesses.
Turay Announces Trustee Candidacy
Greendale resident Gregory Turay announced his candidacy for Village Trustee for the 2008 election. Turay was appointed to the Village Board of Trustees in May of 2006, yet lost in the 2007 election when Ronald Barbian and Jeffery Birmingham were elected to fill the vacant Board seats.In this year's election for Village Trustee, Turay is running against incumbents James Birmingham and James Strange for a 3 year term on the Village Board.
Chamber Announces Awards
The Greendale Chamber of Commerce announced their annual winners of Business of the Year to The Shoppe Around the Corner, 5640 Parking Street; Teacher of the Year to Greendale High School English teacher Jennifer Hussa and Spirit of Greendale to Village Bands Director John Munger.The awards will be presented at the Chamber's Award Banquet on Thursday February 7, at 5:30 pm at the Tuckaway Country Club, 6901 W. Drexel Ave.
Watermain Break in A Section
A watermain pipe on Arrowwood Street cracked January 4th at around 6:00 am. According to the Village DPW the break was relatively minor and repairs were completed by 10:00 am.
New County Supervisor for 17th District
Milwaukee County Supervisor, Dan Devine has announced plans to run for mayor of West Allis in 2008, which leaves his County Supervisor position vacant for the 17th district which includes all of Greendale, part of Greenfield and part of West Allis.