upnorth's Blog

Maybe its just me, but I find that I get very irritated when I am on the roads and I see other drivers who have not taken the time to properly remove the snow from their vehicles.

This morning as I was taking my children to school a person (couldn't tell if it was a male or a female, because they only had enough of their windshield cleaned off so they could see in front of them) almost hit 2 children being led across the street by the crossing guard.  This person could not see to the left or right  because most of their vehicle was still covered with snow.   I heard the crossing guard screaming at the person until they finally stopped.  After the kids were safely across the street, the car proceeded but not before the crossing guard took out a pad of paper and I'm guessing (hoping) he wrote down the plate number and this person will be receiving a well deserved ticket.  For your own safety and others, please take the time to clean the snow off your vehicle.

My husband and I both grew up in Bayview, and we have always thought it was a great place (still do).  There were always so many things that made Bayview a great area.   Southshore park and The Water Frolics, Bayview beach, Groppi's, Club Garibaldi's (truly a place that has always been a mainstay in the area), not to mention all the interesting resturants/shops to frequent on Kinnic Kinnic Ave (KK) and all the history that has made this area memorable for so many.

Recently I read an article in the newspaper THE ONION.  It was an interview with the current owner of the Cactus club (Eric Euecke) in Bayview.  In his interview with THE ONION, he pretty much said that he put Bayview on the map and that most of the people who frequented this establishment before he bought it were all REDNECKS.   He said that nobody really knew where Bayview was until he bought the Cactus Club over a decade ago and brought people to the area  to see the INDI bands that play at his tavern.  While I agree, he has a strong business (more power to him), I do not agree that he and his business are the sole reason that Bayview is what it is today.   Bayview was a great place long before he arrrived and bought this tavern.

I'm guessing he never went sled riding by Old Smokie, or even heard of Bocce Ball until he found out that many many years ago his drive way was actually a Bocce Ball court.  In my opinion there are so many wonderful things in this little part of Milwaukee that make it what it is, and I certainly don't think that The Cactus Club is the ONLY reason that Bayview is such a well known place now (it always has been).

I would love to hear what other people think,  or maybe just a few of your memories of the Bayview area.

I read this article on JS online.  McGee Sr.'s track record for threatening violence certainly proceeds him (if that is what he means by acting naughty).  What do you think? 

JS online 7/2/07

Mike McGee Sr., father of the jailed alderman, called his son's imprisonment unjust during a speech this morning, adding "we aren't going to take this."

The senior McGee, formerly an alderman known for his firebrand rhetoric, promised to run again if his son is removed from office. He also vowed that he and his followers would be "naughty" in response to his son's case, but didn't elaborate.

McGee made his first public statement on the case against his son in a late morning news conference in front of the federal courthouse, calling the charges against his son "gossip," and saying his due process rights were being violated. Milwaukee police and federal agents stood watching as he spoke.

"I am telling you all, we aren't going to take this," the senior McGee said, surrounded by a crowd of about 50 people and using a bullhorn. "We are just going to act as naughty as (prosecutors) are."

Ald. McGee is charged in state court with making a threat, election violations and breaking a court secrecy order. In federal court, he is charged with extortion and bribery.

His $50,000 state bail was posted last week but he remains in jail facing federal charges. Federal prosectors want McGee held without bail, a request his defense attorney said he will argue against. A hearing on bail is set for Monday.

McGee, who is being held by the U.S. marshals, has been moved to the Dodge County Jail from Milwaukee.

The senior McGee blasted that move as unfair. He said the case shows that "white Milwaukee" continues to target black people, specifically any member of the McGee family. He said no other charged alderman has been imprisoned and brought into court in a jail jumpsuit.

"It's a lynch mob of a bunch of (expletive)," he said, referring to members of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Milwaukee District Attorney's Office. "I can't stand any black person to be treated that way, much less my son."