2007 GREENDALE AREA NEWS
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.
Santa Arrives at Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Village's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was held in front of Village Hall on the Friday after Thanksgiving. A crowd approximately 1,200 turned out to sing carols and visit Santa.Read More Plus See Photos & Video
Large Man in Red Upstages Choir
Not Santa Claus
The Greendale High School Choir and music director Art Jaehnke were upstaged by a large man in red during their performance at the annual tree lighting ceremony in front of Village Hall.At first the big man in red was thought to be good old Kris Kringle, but on further inspection, he just turned out to be an over-enthusiastic photographer.
Kaczmarek Visits GHS Theatre Class
Greendale native and Emmy-Award nominated actress Jane Kaczmarek visited Greendale High School on October 29 to speak with the school's theatre students. Sitting under the lights in the auditorium where she performed as a GHS student, Kaczmarek shared some of her professional and real-life experiences with theatre class members and then listened as they reflected on their own stage experiences. "You're in a magnificent time of your life," she said. "Make friends with who you are."
Kapocius Announces Candidacy
Citing his commitment to the community, experience, and leadership, attorney Mark Kapocius announced his candidacy for Greendale Municipal Judge.Kapocius, a 3rd generation Greendale resident, made the announcement in a letter to friends and supporters.
Sendik's Opening Draws Huge Crowd
On Halloween day, a new Sendik's Food Market drew massive crowds as the upscale store opened it's doors to the public for the first time.Greendale and Franklin Police were on the scene to direct traffic as cars full of shoppers decended on the new market, located on the corner of 51st Street and Rawson Avenue.
The Balistrieri family, who owns the Sendik's on north Oakland Avenue in Shorewood owns and operates this Franklin location.
Southridge Mall Mobbed for Pop Concert
On Wednesday, October 17, Ashley Tisdale, star of High School Musical, performed a free show for an audience of at least four thousand people on the mid-court stage of Southridge Mall.Tisdale's performance lasted less than ten minutes, upsetting some of the parents of the screaming throngs of girls, many who waited for hours to see the pop singer.
Tisdale is best known for her performance as Sharpay on the popular Disney show, High School Musical. The 22 year old Tisdale sang songs from her new solo album, Headstrong.
Regular mall floor walkers could not be reached for comment.
Todd Michaels Named Village Manager After Nation-Wide Search
Current Clerk-Treasurer Todd Michaels was hired by the Village Board of Trustees for the position of Village Manager. The Village Board approved Michael's appointment on October 16th.Michaels was acting as interim Manager while the national search was conducted and completed. Former Village Manager Joseph Murray resigned his postion on August 3, 2007.
Greendale Home Sales Plunge
Sellers See Few Buyers; Homes Taken Off Market
The US housing market has been in a slump and while Midwest home prices have been a bit more stable than other parts of the country, the National Association of Realtors report that sales of existing houses is at a five-year low.In Greendale, the above graphic shows that in the past four years, home listings have doubled, sales have fallen and expired listings (unsold homes taken off the market) have tripled. People want to sell their homes, but it is very diffficult to find buyers so houses sit unsold for months, even a year.
Burnt Coffee Odor May End
Eviva Coffee & Tea Company located at 6789 Industrial Loop in Greendale has been the source of the potent odor of burnt coffee that has been repeatedly noticed by Village residents this spring and summer.Eviva is a multi-million dollar company that roasts coffee beans in their Greendale plant and sells the coffee under different brand names in 4 states. The coffee roasters Eviva uses vent out into the the Village air.
While some people might not see that as a problem, many people who've dealt with the odor on a daily basis will say otherwise. The smell can be nauseating and some say it may be harmful to your health, others just consider it a nuisance.
Greendale Historical Society on Tight Timetable to Raise Funds for Former Police Station, Annex
The Greendale Historical Society have recently publicized their plans to renovate and lease the former police station and annex in downtown Greendale.Since kicking off their fundraising campaign during Village Days in August, they've already raised $25,000 towards the $2 million needed for the project.
Shop Greendale First Campaign
On October 6 the Greendale Chamber of Commerce and the Greendale Village Business Association (GVBA) will jointly kickoff their annual Shop Greendale 1st campaign.The Campaign is geared to remind Greendale residents, as well as residents of surrounding communities to help support the business members of the Greendale Chamber of Commerce and the GVBA. A monthly raffle award of gift certificates will be offered by participating businesses.
Northway Water Main Break
A water main broke on Sunday, September 3 in front of a home in the 6800 block of Northway.Crews spent most of the day repairing the damage. Northway was open to a limited amount of traffic during the repairs and area residents reported receiving little or no water during the break.
Village Shops Re-Open After Crash
by Ron Faiola
A woman attempting to park an GMC Yukon drove into a wall next to the front entrance of Seasons of the Heart, 5632 Broad St. on August 15, at 4:22 pm. The driver, Patricia Casucci, and her two grandchildren were not injured in the crash. Casucci was not cited for the incident. Seasons of the Heart, The 5th Season and Ferch's were closed until August 25 while repairs were made.
Click Here for More Photos and Complete Story
Eviva Burnt Coffee Smell Update
by Ron FaiolaEviva Coffee and Tea, Industrial Loop was the source of recent complaints from Village residents of a "burnt coffee smell".
The complaints lead Village Director of Inspection Scott Satula to bring in the DNR to evaluate the situation. The burned coffee fumes contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to some people.
Village Hall Renovation Update
by Ron FaiolaFinal bids to replace 32 windows and clean and re-paint the cupola on Village Hall were submitted on August 23.
Four contractors have been a part of the bidding process and the Village will pick the winning bidder on the 4th of September.
According to Village Director of Inspection Scott Satula, "there were a lot of variables on this project and all the proposed drawings had to be submitted to the State Historical Society for approval."
Satula said, "the work should be done before the Village Hall tree lighting ceremony" which takes place on November 23.
Clock Ticking for Historical Society
The Greendale Historical Society officially began their campaign to raise more than $2 million dollars to renovate the former Greendale police and fire station, located at 6600 Schoolway.
The fund-raising kick off party was held on August 13 during the last day of Village Days. The Historical Society had a tent behind the old police station that was filled with historical items from Greendale's past including old police and fire uniforms, helmets, photos and other documents. They also displayed their conceptual plans for the future of the building.
Read more here - plus photos of the event.
Consultant Hired for Village Manager Search
by Ron FaiolaVillage Board President John Hermes said that the Village has hired a professional firm, Public Administration Associates of Oshkosh, to fill the vacant Village Manager position.
Hermes said, "This is a national search and we expect a good response of 30 - 40 candidates which will be narrowed down to 6-10 for the Village Board to review." He added that it will take several months to complete.
Public Administration Association was the firm who brought former Village Manager Joseph Murray to Greendale nine years ago.
Murray's last day was August 3, and Todd Michaels was named interim manager until the position is permanently filled.
Bus Service in Greendale to End
Under the Milwaukee County Transit System's 2008 budget request, fares would go up to $2 and 13 bus routes will be shortened and 13 will be eliminated, including routes 35 and 64 in Greendale (route 76 service to Southridge will not be affected).
When asked to comment on the possible loss of bus service in downtown Greendale, Village Manager Joseph Murray said the Village is opposed to the plan and he added, "We will do everything we can to keep bus service in Greendale."
County Supervisor Dan Devine, who represents Greendale, said that he had no idea that the bus routes would be eliminated but he felt that the plans were, for now, released to the media to gauge the public reaction. Devine said that his office had received a number of calls about the Greendale routes and he would "definitely attempt to restore" the service.
Ironically, the Village recently installed new bus stop benches and concrete slabs at several downtown bus stops. Murray said the new benches were needed because the old benches in front of Village Hall were in disrepair and the additional bus stop benches on Northway were added to keep the look "consistent."
"If the buses disappear, we'll keep the benches [because] it adds a sense of place in the Village center Murray said. He also noted that the new benches are not just for bus riders but for people out walking in the Village.
Former Police Station Renovation Fund Party
On August 12 the Greendale Historical Society will host a "Greendale Historical Fire /Police Department Building Restoration Fund Kick-off" at the site of the old police and fire station.
A tent will be set up behind the building, located at 6600 Schoolway in downtown Greendale. The tent will feauture the Greendale Historical Society's plans to convert the building to a museum, gift shop and community meeting space.
In addition to the plans for the building, the Historical Society will display artifacts and photos of Greendale's 70 year history. Ice cream and cake will be served.
The tent will also be open to the public during Village Days activities on Friday night August 10 from 4 to 8 P.M. and Saturday August 11 from Noon to 4 P.M.
Village Hall Facelift Update
by Ron FaiolaGreendale's Historic Village Hall will undergo window replacement and clock tower restoration by late August, if everything gets approved in time, according to Scott Satula, Director of Inspection Services.
Architectural drawings and plans need to be approved by the State Historical Society and then the Village can seek bids for the work. Satula said a deadline for bids would be August 1, after which, the Board of Trustees will allocate the necessary funds for the work to begin by late August. Satula did not know how long the project would take to complete, noting that Village Hall will remain open during the work.
All 32 windows, originally installed in 1938, will be replaced, lead paint will be removed, and the clock tower will be cleaned and repainted. The mechanism of the four-sided clock will be fine tuned to keep all four clocks in sync with the correct time.
The building and downtown Greendale was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 29, 2005.
Village Manager Resigns
by Ron FaiolaAfter nine years as Village Manager of Greendale, Joe Murray has resigned, effective August 3, 2007.
Murray said, "My decision to leave was very, very difficult. I've greatly enjoyed my time serving the Village, but this new opportunity offers new and different challenges."
Murray has accepted an offer from Springsted, Inc. a financial and management advisory firm.
According to Murray, "The good news for me and my family is that we will still be staying here in Greendale."
When asked about his membership in the Chamber of Commerce, he replied, "As for the Chamber of Commerce, currently I'm the Village's 'representative' so the Village will need to appoint someone else, likely the next Village Manager."
He added, "I haven't had the opportunity yet to discuss my and/or my new firm's joining the Chamber. If so, the Chamber Board will need to discuss if they'd want me to stay on the Chamber Board or if they want to try and have the new Village Manager or someone else take my seat on the Board."
$2 Million Renovation for old Police Station
On July 3, 2007, the Village Board of Trustees selected the Greendale Historical Society's proposal to convert both the Old Police Station and Annex. The Village will lease the buildings to the Greendale Historical Society for $1.00/year for twenty-five years, with five, 5-year lease renewal options.
POLICE CAR CHASE IN GREENDALE
June 29, 2007by Ron Faiola
Greenfield Police captured 3 alleged armed-robbery suspects in Greendale late this morning after a high speed chase that ended in a crash on Grange Ave. and Avena Ct.
Police responded to a burglary in progress at the Heritage Lakes apartments at 5020 S. 55th St., according to a police report. A witness at the scene provided a description of the car and license plate number.
Police stopped the suspect car at a gas station at Loomis Road and Edgerton and the female driver surrendered to police, but two male suspects fled the scene in the car, with officers in pursuit.
During the chase, a Greenfield police car rammed into the suspect's vehicle, forcing it up onto the median on Grange Avenue. The suspects fled the disabled car but were quickly apprehended by police.
Greendale Police Chief Robert Dams was on the scene and he confirmed to Greendale Life that all three suspects were arrested.
According to officials, firearms taken during the burglary were recovered from the car.
One of the suspects was treated for unspecified injuries by Greendale EMS at the scene.
Greendale Hosts Wheelchair Games Event
Greendale High School was the site of the Track Competition for the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, held on Friday, June 22 from 8:00 am until noon at Greendale High School's Gavinski Field. Official Results and Stories Here
New Support for GHS Football
The Panther Touchdown Club has created a new website to showcase their support for GHS Football. The website, www.greendalefootball.com, was put together Rodney Mattrisch.