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NEWSROOM * CIRCULATION * ADVERTISING
Wednesday
September 2010
8
Blog Archive
Cell phones, Tony Butler and more...
I am trying to figure out cell phone users. At first, most would hold them in their hands or keep them in their shirts. Now I just don't know...People are bringing them to meetings and public forums…the phones irritate so many!
The persons who use cell phones should just leave them in car or at least turn them off! It seems like the average guy who may have just left home is the one who gets the calls. And those calls are trivial at best. Things like, “Bring home a loaf of bread” or “We’re going to Sue’s house after the meeting,” etc. Whatever happened to common courtesy?
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Four hundred people strong turned out to watch the Appleton Timber Rattlers on Saturday, June 23, for Tony Butler Bobblehead Night. Tony was a star pitcher for who pitched for Oak Creek High School when they won state championships three years in a row. He pitched all three years. Yes, that is a three-peat. No one has ever won it two years in a row!
Fans tailgated and mingled in a fun mode. The first 1,000 persons received a bobblehead! Once inside, the Leinie Lodge hosted the Oak Creek fans with food and beverages! The weather was perfect and the Timber Rattlers run a first-class operation. Lots of friendly, pleasant personnel…entertainment between innings…and many giveaways!
I have a very special warning, though: Watch out for wrapped T-shirts shot into stands between innings. One fan, who I will identify only as “S.B.” got hit in side of face while protecting her beverage. Her hubby "M.B." would not comment on his lack of protection as he sat next to victim.
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Question? How can a person in jail on state and federal charges call a radio station and do an on-air interview?
Should incarceration on state and federal charges allow free speech of this type? This blogger says "no"! Also, I don't think you would be allowed to do this!
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This is hard to believe, but when the Milwaukee Braves first came to town bleacher tickets were 50 cents. Better yet, you could bring in any type beverage and snacks! No checking at all.
This writer attended many games with dad and friends, and we also brought in beer, soda, snacks, etc.
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Last year, the South Milwaukee High School football field was named Bill Spaholtz Field. Mr. Spaholtz was my science teacher his first year out of college at South Milwaukee High School. He was an imposing tall athletic figure - very fit, with a brush haircut.
The atmosphere in his class was very professional, and you wanted to learn! Twenty years after graduation, I met Mr. Spaholtz at a state Lions convention. He was a South Milwaukee Lion and I belonged to the Oak Creek Lions. He was head football coach at South Milwaukee.
The naming of the field in his honor is very fitting. Congrats, Mr. Spaholtz.
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Did you readers know…
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Here are some recent sports-related quotes….
A ballplayer needed a “mental” day off…the Milwaukee bullpen is "wearing down”….Kind of wimpy, don’t ya think?
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Homework for my blog readers:
Let’s all do your best to find these answers, as there will be a test! Contact older Oak Creek residents to get some help. You’ll see the answers in my next blog!
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This one is hard to believe. It’s unusual, but he had no choice!
A farm worker harvesting corn on a farm near Puetz and Pennsylvania got his hand caught in machinery. Darkness closing in, knowing no one would check on him, he cut off his own finger!!!!
This happened to George in about 1958. This blogger knew George. He was a nice guy who did what he had to do to live!
Hope you enjoy, and if you know someone who may know some of the answers to the trivia, please pass this on!
Jerry
Two referendums: One in court and one on the ballot
There’s one referendum in court…and one on the ballot. Both referendums are costing city "mucho" bucks, while the group that watches spending is in the mix of the referendums.
The referendum that puts a $2 million dollar cap on city spending is at state Supreme Court’s front step. We’re waiting to see if they will accept case. The first court ruled in the city’s favor, saying that the elected council and mayor have full say on the city’s spending. The second court said city should put it to voters and let them vote on $2 million dollar projects or more.
This blogger says the $2 million limit is to way to low for a special referendum vote. It will cost money for special elections, slow down potential projects in our growing city and makes for a weak alderman- mayor council operation of a city our size. Our city had to hire an attorney to represent us if Supreme Court accepts the case. That means $$$$$$$!
This blogger knows that some citizen action committee members now say $2 million number is too low for our city. There were some who expected city to negotiate a higher dollar amount. I guess you could say the City Council called their bluff.
Now onto the referendum on whether to have an appointed or elected city treasurer and clerk. The council voted to appoint future treasurer and clerk with a mayoral appointment. Enough signatures were secured by citizen action committee members who back an elected treasurer and clerk. A special referendum election will be held with an approximate cost $6,000 that will ask citizens if they prefer appointed or elected clerk and treasurer.
This blogger prefers appointment -- reason being if persons applying to be put on ballot lack strong credentials, it would not be in best interest of city. With the appointed positions, the city would accept applications and applicants would under go strong scrutiny before appointment vote by council recommendation with the mayor making the appointment.
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Congrats to high school baseball team, head coach Holler and assistants. They beat some state ranked teams and were fun to watch with many highlights. A lot of players are coming back next year with the JV team having only two losses!
The football team is working hard! The best to our new head coach, assistants and the team members!
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Kudos to the high school band. Right on schedule I heard the drums during the first week in August, with marching practice soon after. The band members are special. They don't have to be there, they want to be there. Also I might add that it was nice to see the band in Oak Creek’s Fourth of July parade!
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How about the strong cheerleader and pompon squad and parent group? They work and practice all year long, and are very visible in city all year long!
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The girls basketball team is the strongest team on paper in a long time. Possibly our strongest ever.
Let’s welcome our new coach and back the team. I can't wait for those Franklin games!
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Have you noticed the new buildings and signage on Howell Avenue from north to south? Starting wit Stramowski Heating-Harvest Church sign, plus the car wash on Howell and Rawson, the new bank north of Culvers, the DiCarlos remodeling and the new sign at Salvation Army!
They’re all promoting brick and mortar buildings with exceptional landscaping and berms with plantings!
This blogger would like to see this with the expansion and remodeling of the public works building on Puetz Road. It is scheduled for this year. The corrugated metal on front has to go. The city recycling yard on Puetz gets an A+ from this blogger. It’s laid out nice and organized.
How about the nice renovation to city water and sewer building? Another A+ rating from this blogger.
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Brian Calhoun a Green Bay Packer? The former Oak Creek running back now on the Detroit Lions is one of many on Lions squad…and one or two Lions backs will have to go!
My scouts say it is possible that Calhoun could join the Packers, but it’s a very long shot at best. The stars have to be aligned just right for this to happen, but……??
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Homework answers to the trivia questions in my last blog.
* Where in Oak Creek was the Indy car track ? At 5th and Puetz Road. It is now metropolitan sewer facility!
* A South Milwaukee driver was killed there in the ‘30s. His last name was….Willman.
* Who was the Milwaukee Braves’ first second baseman? Felix Mantilla!! A very good trivia question.
* Who was owner of an Oak Creek supper club who played for Chicago Bears and coach George Halas? Ray Bussler, owner of Busslers on 27th and Oakwood Road was the player. The Packers and Bears stopped there on a regular basis as 27th St. was Highway 41, the only direct route to Chicago at the time.
* Wrestling at the south side Armory was a “must watch” on Thursday night when television first came out. Billy Goelz and Gypsy Joe were regulars. Gettleman was
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Street Projects, Mystery Body, Sports Talk and More...
What took so long with the Shepard and Puetz intersection project?
For those of you who remember, the bridge built over Oak Creek -- near Abendschein Park -- Drexel seemed closed forever. This blogger did not think another small project could ever take longer than that!
You know that ad "Two Men and a Truck"? How about "Two Men and a Wheelbarrow" for these two projects! Maybe the penalty clause for taking too long will cut the cost. Ya think?
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My last blog made mention of a body in coal silo at Oak Creek power Plant. Who was it? How did it get there?
As an employee, one night I received a call from my supervisor to see if I had come home from my day shift. He said no more, but he was going down list of employees in the coal handling department for that day.
I thought the call was strange, but did not dwell on it that night.
Arriving at the work site the next morning, the buzz was that a body had come through the coal silo. But the opening was too small for a body to pass through. An employee was sent to check the reason for stoppage of coal flow.
Usually, a few pokes with a 6-foot rod would get the coal flowing. Not this time, though. A larger plate was removed and things were different. Police were called. No one knew for sure what was caught in chute.
Conditions were quite dirty and cramped! A body fell out on the grating after much help from plant workers and the police department and fire department.
Now, how did this body get there? The coal came in by rail car from a mine out west. It was a low sulfur coal. The rail cars get dumped halfway over with coal going into a large hopper. Then there is a journey of belts to hoppers about six times that ends in final coal silo. Total length is approximately a quarter of a mile.
Now the big question, Who was this person? Investigation found he had climbed a ladder approximately 10 feet tall on the outside of rail car. He then jumped in. The inside of car has no ladder and is hard or close to impossible to get out.
This tragedy took place in the 1970s!
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It is reported that a council member will be appointed to the Sewer and Water Commission to help line of communication between the city and utility. The city and utility are two separate entities. Aside
from the line of communication, the city may benefit from a very progressive leader in its field in the water industry. The utility has a state of the art water purification plant, near highest bond rating, accounting awards, and produces some of the safest water in the United States. This blogger says the city cannot lose – it’s getting more than an improved line of communication.
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This blogger is still smarting over the former city administrator's recommendation to take fire hydrant fees off the property tax statement and put them on your water bill. This equals $17 per quarter, or $68 per year. The council approved this. Your taxes did not drop $68. It only gave semblance that your taxes did not increase as much on your property tax statement.
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Let’s talk about the Dairyland dog track. It has lost money for years and is being subsidized by shareholders who are holding out hope that a casino will be built there. If the day comes that the casino will not be built, the dogs will not run the next day! Shareholders would become instant millionaires. This blogger thinks there is better than 50% chance that a casino will be built.
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Count Geoff Jenkins gone as a Milwaukee Brewer. He’s way overpaid! This is for sure! Take it to the bank!
Kevin Mench will also be gone. The only way he stays is if he takes a pay cut to be a backup outfielder/pinch hitter who would be insurance in case of injury. I say he’s gone!
Here’s a message for all the "Yost haters." When something he does goes wrong on the field and does not work out, the second-guessers have a field day! This blogger is not one of those!
It’s nice to see the Packers off to a nice start! It will be a long year, though! You heard it here first. Favre’s last year! Wanna bet?
Did you know that when the Milwaukee braves won World Series in 1957 - beating the Yankees - that Lew Burdette pitched three complete games and two shutouts? He won all three starts!! No pitch counts, set-up pitcher or closers needed!
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One last word on city referendums on whether the clerk and treasurer should be elected or appointed:
A laborer, a salesperson or a utility worker can be a treasurer or a clerk in an election. A nurse is appointed from a list of qualified applicants! Let’s appoint clerk and treasurer from list of applicants.
It is becoming apparent that the $2 million referendum was for City Hall renovation only. Somehow overzealous ideas led to making all projects of $2 million to be included.
A big flaw in the $2 million number is the lack of inflation being mentioned. The original $2 million number is now worth about $1.8 million, adjusted for inflation. Let’
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Local sports teams going strong
The loss to our rival, South Milwaukee, hurt me a little! I'm trying to avoid a guy named "Troy"!
You heard it here first: this is the best all-around girls basketball team ever from Oak Creek! Good luck to the team and the new head coach.
I took in the seventh and grade Super Bowl in the youth football league! The Bengals are the champs for '07! They have some players who I think could make varsity as sophomores!
The girls volleyball team was great -- a few breaks and they could have gone to state competition!
Also, how about Oak Creek High School Band? I hear them start practice in the middle of August, and practice almost every day and at night! Third place at state is something to be proud of!!
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Put this on your calendar: Breakfast with Santa presented by Oak Creek Lions on Sunday, Dec.2, from 9:30 'till noon!
It’s in the lower Legion building. There is no charge…bring the kids! Canned goods for the Salvation Army will be accepted.
The best "my fellow Americans"!
-- Jerry
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The Early History of the Oak Creek Fire Department
It also was the beginning of a new fire department. Town of Oak Creek chairman Adam Schmidt appointed Ed Friedel to chair the organization of a new volunteer fire department.
It was an exciting time as officers had to be chosen. Rules and regulations had to be set. Alvin Lampe was the first chief. He held supreme command over the department. Other officers were: Assistant Chief Bill Lueneburg, Captain Joe Brickler, Lieutenant Harold Kleinmann, Marshall Clarence Vollmer, Treasurer Ray Miller, Secretary Harold Tenner.
A few of the rules were that the fire engine on way to fire could not go over 45 miles per hour. Upon returning, from fire 40 miles per hour was max. The chief ruled that every man carry his badge -- a 25 cent fine was levied to any one caught not carrying his badge. Monthly meetings were established by chief -- these were nonpaid!
If a volunteer missed three meetings in a row, he was suspended. To get back on the department, he had to have a written excuse.
Members voted to keep or drop volunteers from the department. Also, any member missing a meeting was fined 25 cents. After a meeting, members chipped in for a case of beer (Some things never change!). Pay was $1.50 per call for chief; all other received $1.00 per call.
There were no raincoats the first couple of years. A raincoat cost $6, hats 75 cents and a pair of boots $5.35. The fire department was located at Howell and Ryan, on the southwest corner. The building housed one truck -- a 1936 International with a 500 gallon tank. The only siren to signal fire calls was behind the building. The first person there drove the truck.
Most of the early water supply came from South Milwaukee. Monies were raised to buy equipment by holding dances, bingo, raffles and picnics. The price of a dance ticket was 25 cents in advance and 35 cents at the door!
A 1924 Nash fire truck was acquired in the second year. It had solid rubber tires (no tubes). It was a hard starter that had to be started with a crank!
The second year was also the year that two dozen pairs of gloves were purchased, as well as a couple of blankets and two pairs of boots.
Drills continued once a month with training from the Milwaukee fire department.
In September 1937, the Oak Creek department had 28 square miles to protect. An agreement to assist the Town of Franklin to one-half mile west of 27th Street gave Oak Creek 31 square miles to cover. Franklin paid $50 for any call in the half-mile section. Volunteers were allowed to have a red light on the left front of their auto to be used on way to fires only.
Odds and ends during 1937: There were 23 calls at a cost of $690; telephone service was $20; fuel costs for trucks and firehouse amounted to a grand total of $55. 27 members were on the department.
1939 bought insurance coverage. If a firefighter was killed, a $1,000 death benefit was paid. Any fireman injured at a fire would get $20 a week.
Basic first aid courses were taught by other full time departments. Milwaukee County was responsible for transport of accident victims. One hour was normal for a response. Many times victims were transported on back of pickup trucks covered with blankets -- being held by firemen to cushion the ride! It worked to some degree, but that was all that was available.
1939 showed two gas masks purchased. Also, coming to a fire intoxicated resulted in a two-month suspension. Three violations meant dismissal from the department. Grass fires in the dry summer months; chimney fires in winter from soot buildup; and barn and home fires and accidents made up most of rest of calls.
1946 showed a bank total of $243. Fines were raised to 50 cents for any member missing a training meeting.
Tragedy struck the department in 1948. Fire Chief Harry Dinauer skidded on black ice and rolled over into a ditch on Pennsylvania Ave. He was responding to a fire on Drexel Ave. at the time. He died on March 22, 1948.
1950 found Oak Creek growing fast. A new fire truck was ordered from Peter Pirsch Co. in Kenosha. 27 members had five years or more of service with department. The new engine cost $29,000.
1955 was the year the first ambulance was purchased in the City of Oak Creek. It was a ‘55 Cadillac. Modern technology bought a monitor to each home of firefighter. The monitor received a frequency from dispatch setting off loud alarm, followed by an announcement of the location and type of call. Response time improved 75%. Next two-way radios were installed in trucks and ambulance.
1958 found the department responded to 359 calls; 117 were fire calls. The chief's salary was $1,000 and volunteers received $3 per hour. The first permanent fire station was built on Puetz near Howell (near the high school). The cost for building was $100,000.
1960 was the initial year of formation of full-time fire department. The force consisted of nine firefighters, two lieutenants, one assistant chief and a fire chief. The chief was Bill Gradl Sr. The assistant chief was Harold Tenner, the two lieutenants were Lloyd Dittmar and Gordy Ashbaugh, the firefighters were Elden Esch, John Getzin Jr., Harold Lampe, Paul Manderle Jr., Don Salzwedel, Herb Stressing, Lyle Tenner and Joe Wilkinson.
Feb. 1, 1960, was the start and move-in date at the new station. The 1960 salary for chief was $7,200; for the assistant chief it was $6,500. Lieutenants got $5,900; regulars $5,000 per year.
Some of the larger fires and accidents of this time were barn fires at the Clarence Vollmer farm on Howell Ave.; the Lueneburg farm near Howell and Ryan; and Ray Busslers restaurant. The worst fire in loss of life was on Puetz, east of tracks, in a converted tool shed housing a family of migrant workers, which left five children dead. This was 1955.
The power plant had two large fires in the coal system. Car-truck accidents, and railroad crossing accidents were many, most crossing did not have signals-only stop signs!
1969 was Oak Creek’s first major airplane disaster. A Boeing KC-971 Stratotanker landed three-quarter miles short of runway, south of College Ave. This happened in heavy fog on Feb. 6, 1969. Cudahy, South Milwaukee, Franklin, Milwaukee, Greenfield, Greendale and Hales Corners all responded!
Hats off to the volunteers who responded 24-7. They did not do it for the money! They put their lives on the line many times with many close calls on way to fires and at the scene, etc.
That was the start of a very progressive and professional department we have today! Thanks & keep up the great job!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Howell & Puetz is city's new "Main Street"
The latest very, very nice addition is the new business building that is north and behind DiCarlo’s restaurant. It gets an A+ from this blogger…it’s all brick and glass.
I sure like the new bank building north of Culvers. The design, layout and color get an A+ from this blogger!
But there is one building that does not pass the test: The Qdoba Mexican restaurant building. The back of the building has many gas meters, and electric meters and boxes abut sidewalk on Howell. It looks like it doesn't belong!
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Kudos to the snow-plowing and sanding of intersections during very challenging snow storms and freezing rain! Thanks, Highway Department!
There have been some complaints about keeping sidewalks and crosswalks open in area of Howell and Puetz, where many residents have to walk for their needs.
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The flawed $2 million referendum for any project in city is waiting for Supreme Court to decide! Guess what? The litigants now realize how unrealistic this was - they want to change wording and "negotiate"!
In other words, change the wording. I urge the Common Council not too change.
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Let’s talk local sports. The high school girls look good. They lost to a ranked team - Rufus King - by only 6 points. The King girls were very quick and had too many steals to overcome. Oak Creek has a chance to go to state, but local sports writers don't think so!
The wrestling team is also very good. The coach always finds a way to make Oak Creek competitive. Last year three wrestlers went to state. Three or more could go again this year.
The Packers!! What about those guys?! The coaches came up with a great offensive game plan. The defense is good - the big thing is all the players bought into the coaches’ game plan. The real answer is something that cannot be taught or practiced. It comes from within and is called team "chemistry"!
Steroid use in baseball: Who should get the blame for letting this go for so long? The players knew about the use of some of their teammates. Seeing muscles and bumps where they shouldn't be. The union knew. The owners knew about it also. Bud Selig is to blame!! The owners hired him to make their decisions - the union can't turn in the players because they can't go against the hands that feed them. Bud just hoped it would go away"!
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There was another successful Oak Creek Lions Fest this year - the budget is being worked on. $3,400 was donated to the Salvation Army for Christmas food baskets $5,000 was allocated for high school scholarships.
A free breakfast with Santa was held and 300 people attended. A quarterly blood bank was held - netting 60+ pints of blood.
Five December visits were made to nursing and assisted-living homes. There was live music and Santa visited each home. Refreshments were served, but most important of all were the smiles of happiness!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
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