Brookfield Happening Now

Though I still feel there were things that should have been corrected by now to help with the flooding of our City, I may have been too quick on the trigger to point a finger. After witnessing the entire picture of the devastation over a much larger region than Clearwater Drive, it is now clear to me that even if those corrections had been made it would not have significantly changed the recent problems. My apology goes directly to Tom Grisa.

However, I would like to see more attention paid to the control of Underwood Creek. I should have titled my previous post "A River Runs Through It" since that is exactly what is happening to my neighbors behind me. They had spent an enormous amount of time and money beautifying their area just to see most of it floating a away. My yard damage from the flood is miniscule in comparison. I feel that if the Underwood Creek were better controlled, the damage could have been considerably less.

I must praise the Engineering Department for most of their efforts in the City of Brookfield. The widening of Calhoun Road between Bluemound and Greenfield, while understandably, highly unpopular with the residents there, will actually become a boon to those residents. It will definitely benefit the rest of the City.

Those of you who lived in Brookfield anywhere along Underwood Creek or the Dousman ditch in 1997 and 1998 probably have vivid memories of sewer backup and high water surrounding your house. I know Sandy and I do. I was out of town during the 1997 flood. But I recall the panic in Sandy's voice when she called to tell me about it. I also remember the expense of cleanup afterward. In 1998, I remember having to park my car high up on Santa Barbara Drive and walking to my house in water up to my chest from Pomona Road nearly to the end of Clearwater. The Underwood Creek overflowed that much. The water from the creek and rain came so close to the houses on our block we made the news on Channels 4 and 12. The current was so hard it washed away all the topsoil in our back yard. Sandy still has anxiety attacks whenever it rains.

After the 100 year flood in 1997 and the 500 year flood in 1998, I participated in a group formed by the City of Brookfield and the Village of Elm Grove called the Underwood Creek Task Force. The Task Force spent a great deal of time learning why the flooding happened and what could be done about it. We gave our recommendations to the Council.  Tom Grisa of the Engineering Department, who helped develop those plans, said he would implement them as quickly as possible to avoid this happening again.

Well, folks, it appears it has happened again. So what will the engineering department at Brookfield City Hall designate this one - a 1,000 year flood? And what happened to all those plans that were made to abate the flooding? Nothing has been done for over nine years. So here I am at 2:30 in the morning, in a house surrounded by water. And even though I installed a sewer backup blocking valve, my basement is flooded once again. The majority of the water is from the overflowing Underwood Creek. The same creek we were told that would not overflow once the plans the Underwood Creek Task Force were put into effect.  I think the time has come.

Well, the robins are back. They have built a new nest just outside our kitchen window, just like they did last year. No eggs yet. But I imagine it won't be long. Here's what they looked like last year.

Unfortunately, I wasn't around when they took flight. But it's nice to know they liked it here. 

I am not the biggest sports fan in the world and I have no children. I hate the idea that my taxes will increase for any reason. But I am a realist. So, I feel there is no agenda when I say I support the upcoming school referendum. There is nothing more important than a well rounded education for young people. That includes athletic development as well as scholastic development.

I heard in a report to the City of Brookfield Plan Commission Monday night, that the quality of schools is one of the two most important reasons people choose a location in which to live. Brook field can be proud of its academic ranking. But the ranking of the condition of the two high schools, not so much. Perhaps over 100 million was too much too spend at one time for the majority of Elmbrook area residents. But the new proposal is a great compromise.

Please be sure to vote on April 1, whether you agree with me or not is not important. Your expressing your desires is.

What is our federal government thinking? Spending over 42 million dollars to inform us about the check each of may receive and how to get it doesn't really seem to be fiscally responsible. I mean, we have all seen stories on TV, read them in papers, heard them on the radio and many have even checked out the various web sites. AARP has printed and distributed information on the subject. Why does the IRS have to spend 42 million dollars telling how they are going to spend another nearly 150 million?

Are they being smarter than we may think? If there is anyone who does not "normally file' an income tax return, they must file a form 1040A to be eligible for the stimulus check. Is this a way to find out who is not filing and why? Maybe the 42 million isn't such a bad idea.

At last night's (3/6/08) neighborhood informational meeting regarding the addition to the playing field at Brookfield Academy one of the participants mentioned he didn't know in which district he lived. Do you? Do you know what area your district covers?

District 3 (my district) is bordered by North Avenue on the South, Capitol Drive on the North, Lily Road on the East and Calhoun Road on the West. There are a couple of little cut outs and nodes here and there. But that's basically it. You can find your district easily on the City of Brookfield zoning map.

A nice presentation for Anna Mae Harley's retirement after 28 years with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and a presentation and discussion of the placement of the Guido Brink sculpture at the Brookfield library were the highlights of the meeting. The tabled motion for an approval in a change to the building of "Brookfield Junction" Phase II was again tabled for lack of information from the developer.

I truly appreciate the consent agenda system used at the meetings, especially since I tried to have that installed when I was on the council. But it does place a large responsibility on the Aldermen to attend committee meetings or, at least read minutes of those meetings, so they can be up on the issues presented. The real work of any deliberative group of size is done in the committees. Often, discussion that would not occur at the Council meeting would occur at the committee level. I will be attending a number of committee meetings in the next two weeks.

The meetings:

Plan Commission 3/10 – 7:00 p.m. - Public Hearing re: Brookfield Academy

Neighborhood Informational Meeting re: MSO re-zoning 3/11 – 5:00 p.m.

Water & Sewer Board 3/11 – 7:00 p.m.

Board of Public Works 3/11 – to follow the WSB

Library Board 3/12 – 7:00 p.m.

Plan Commission 3/17 – 7:00 p.m.

Finance Committee 3/18 – 7:00 p.m.

Legislative & Licensing Committee 3/18 – 7:15 p.m.

Common Council 3/18 – 7:45 p.m. - Public Hearing re: Zoning Code Amendment

Plan Review Board 3/20 – 4:30 p.m.

Well, you may think we have had a lot of snow. Those in upper New York may disagree. How about 146 inches in 2 weeks?

I don't know about you, but I feel a little better about our situation.

Well, I didn’t make it to the Common Council meeting on Tuesday (2-5-08) due to business conflicts. But I have been checking around on what happened.

 
The main interest might be the City’s resolution regarding the finishing of the Greenfield Avenue widening. I truly do not understand the Town’s figures on what their contribution should be. A difference of nearly $450,000 from what the DOT determined as a fair share is quite sizable. It appears to be a bit of creative accounting on the part of the Town. On one hand I don’t think the City should give in to the bullying tactics of the Town and pay any portion of the Town’s responsibility. On the other, I would like to see Greenfield Avenue become a safer drive. Perhaps those directly affected by that area should offer their opinions.

 
I am very happy to hear that the intersection at Lily and Burleigh will be rebuilt. It will be a real pain through the summer, but the improvements will be worth it come the rainy and snowy seasons. The grading is to be changed so that it won’t be such a bear to take off when the light changes. The idea of a left turn lane at the Brookfield East drive way is a welcome change, too.

 
The burying of overhead lines on Calhoun Road is a great idea. Perhaps we should consider doing that in many other areas – like Lily and Burleigh, for instance.

 
Had enough snow yet? Well, Sandy and I have and are going to take a brief respite starting next Monday. We are going to Florida for nine days. I know, it’s tough, but someone has to do it.

That is what I hope for on this blog - comments. Further, my hope is that they will all be positive in nature. Let assure you that I will listen to and respond to every comment regarding what is happening in Brookfield. We may not agree on an issue or two, but I really want to know how everyone feels.

As to a comprehensive platform, I am for encouraging business in Brookfield. Businesses help keep the tax burden on the residents lower.

Brookfield is suffering from a lack of land to be newly developed and as a result I favor of redevelopment as long as it fits within the parameters set by the community in the 2020 Master Plan. That is not to say that plan can not be altered to better reflect necessary change.

I feel it is an Alderman's first duty is to represent the district that elected that Alderman. But the ultimate responsibility is to envision what is good for the entire community.

Again, your comments are vitally important to the forming or reformation of any platform.

Well, I finally bit the bullet and started a blog. I hope to become more informed about City of Brookfield government and pass that knowledge on to the readers here. As a candidate for Alderman in the 3rd District, I hope to hear what you think needs attention in Brookfield. My goal is to start attending Council meetings as of February 5, 2008.

The next blog will be a bit longer and have more information about my background.