Mayor's Memo

Mayor Thanks WWII Naval Heroes on Veterans Day

Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto honors his father who served in WII and survived the sinking of an escort carrier in October 1944. Nine other men recently were in Brookfield to mark the 68th anniversary of the Battle off Samar.

This Sunday, Nov. 11th is Veterans Day which honors our country’s armed service veterans. Prior to 1954, this holiday was known as "Armistice Day" to memorialize the end of combat in World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.  The armistice notably went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.  "Armistice Day" was changed to "Veterans Day" in 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, which made this holiday a time to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans. Brookfield has been home to veterans who have served in all of this nation’s wars. Of particular note is that a veteran of the American Revolution from Massachusetts, Nathan Hatch, who enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776 moved here when he was in …

• Photos (6)
• Documents (1)

Mayor's Memo

Bluemound Road Reconstruction 'Difficult' But Critical to Corridor

The disruption caused by this work on such a major thoroughfare has been difficult, but we hope completion of this project will result in improved traffic, safer travel and an economic boost to the area.

The reconstruction of Bluemound Road is now substantially complete with the final touches being made this month. Those touches include activation of the permanent traffic signals and removal of the temporary ones; syncing the traffic signal timing; cleaning up the medians; and painting the pavement markings. Bluemound Road is a state highway, as are Capitol Drive and Greenfield Avenue. As such, the reconstruction of Bluemound was done by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, with the City of Brookfield cooperating on the improvement of key intersections. The disruption caused by this work on such a major thoroughfare has been difficult, but we hope completion of this project will result in improved traffic, safer travel and an …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Mayor's Memo

Mayor Flies with 128th Air Refueling Wing

Mayor Steve Ponto got a chance to accompany Air National Guardsmen in a flight to refuel two F16 fighter jets. The incredible experience left him with a new appreciation for their work and great photos.

At 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12th, a member of the Air National Guard picked me up at City Hall for an Orientation Flight with the 128th Air Refueling Wing. The 128th is headquartered on the east side of Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. The purpose of these Orientation Flights is to educate civic leaders and employers about the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and there were about 15 of us from around Wisconsin who received a flight briefing at 8 a.m. We then boarded a Boeing 707 Stratotanker which was first flown in 1958 but which has been very well-maintained and regularly updated. We took off with 30,000 gallons of fuel to rendezvous with two F16 fighter jets from the Air National Guard base in Duluth, Minn. There were …

• Photos (37)

Mayor's Memo

Mayor: Religion Can Not Be Considered in Mosque Proposal

Mayor Steve Ponto says city officials concerned about traffic impacts persuaded the Islamic Foundation of Greater Milwaukee to cut the size of the proposed mosque by nearly half.

In September of 2009, the Islamic Foundation of Greater Milwaukee purchased a lot on Pheasant Drive in Brookfield. In October of 2010, the Foundation purchased an adjoining lot. Pheasant Drive intersects Calhoun Road on its western end and dead ends several blocks to the east. The land is zoned “industrial.” Last fall, representatives of the Foundation met with me and other City officials to discuss the possibility of building a mosque on these two lots. Buildings for religious use are conditional uses that may be permitted in any zoning district.  In discussing the Foundation’s ideas, we pointed out the challenge of the intersection of Pheasant Drive with Calhoun Road, which is complicated by railroad tracks to the north and south of the …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

Mayor's Memo

Mayor: "Very Modest" Tax Levy Increase Maintains City Services

Mayor Steve Ponto says the city is abie to maintain services and staff — despite cuts in state aid and tax levy limits — thanks to a strong tax base and prudent fiscal policies.

These are challenging economic times for most of us individually and for Brookfield as a city. Still, it is important to recognize that Brookfield’s fundamental economic strength and the city government’s long-standing fiscal responsibility are serving us well. Brookfield is fortunate to have a very strong tax base. In fact, Brookfield, which has a population of about 38,000, has the third highest equalized property valuation in the State of Wisconsin. “Equalized value” is the estimate by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue of the full value of the real property in a municipality. The Department of Revenue currently estimates Brookfield’s equalized property value at about $6.1 billion. This trails only the cities of Milwaukee (population …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

No Guns in City Buildings Considered

Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto wants aldermen to thoroughly study and decide whether to ban weapons from municipal buildings before the state's concealed carry law goes into effect.

Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto Tuesday said aldermen should debate whether to ban concealed weapons from city buildings before the state law goes into effect this fall. Ponto made a formal referral to the Common Council's Legislative and Licensing Committee to study whether "to prohibit concealed carry in municipal buildings." The mayor made the referral at the end of Tuesday's council meeting and there was no discussion about it. After the meeting, Ponto said in an interview he was leaning against allowing weapons, saying the city never has allowed anyone other than sworn police officers to carry guns into city buildings. "As a general matter we're concerned about it," he said. Ponto said weapons are prohibited from Waukesha County …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (2)

Reagan's Disciple

6:39 am on Thursday, July 21, 2011

His rationalization is flawed. He is quoted in the article as saying weapons are banned in the capital so banning them at city buildings would be consistent. However, they are not banned in the capital so allowing the weapons in city buildings would actually be the more consistent position. I also understand that he really has no clue what he is talking about on most issues.   more ›