Message from the Mayor:
Summer has arrived here in Oak Creek, bringing lots of sunshine, and great weather for our residents to enjoy. With the lack of rain, City Forester Rebecca Lane has urged me to remind residents to water their city trees, especially newly planted ones. City crews should have the remaining 75 trees planted by the end of this week, wrapping up our tree plantings for 2012. City staff and the Common Council continue to be committed to purchase and replace trees across our city, reducing the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer, which ultimately will take 20% of our urban tree canopy.

This week saw a historic recall election in Wisconsin, and Oak Creek voters came out in near-record numbers to cast their votes. 15,002 Oak Creek citizens voted on Tuesday, June 5th, giving our city a 76.3% voter turnout, well above the state percentage of 57%. Going forward there will be two new polling places in our city. The Common Council on Tuesday passed Ordinance # 2654, changing the election sites for District’s 4 &5, located along the eastern and southern boundaries of the city. District 4 will now be located at Deerfield Elementary School, and District 5 residents will vote at Parkway Church on South Nicholson Road. City Clerk Catherine Roeske, in her election summary post on our City of Oak Creek Facebook page, commented on the tremendous patience of voters as they waited in the long lines outside the polling places.

On Thursday morning June 7th, I participated in a Wellness Committee meeting with representatives from many of our city departments. This committee works to improve employee health and well-being by encouraging active employee participation in fitness and nutrition programs. At the meeting I talked about sponsoring a city-wide initiative this fall asking residents to join me in the community to improve our health profile. I would like to put together a series of events from September through the end of the year, aimed at weight-loss, and reducing our health risks. If you would like to help on a committee, or you are a local business that would like to sponsor an event, please contact me at City Hall.

On Friday, June 8th, I spoke at the Oak Creek Community Center event honoring Citizen of the Year Rich Duchniak. Rich is an outstanding voice in our city, lending a hand to many organizations and fundraising groups, as well as serving as Director of the Community Center. Congratulations on a well deserved honor.

We’re continuing our efforts to improve the website and social media presence of our City. Our City of Oak Creek Facebook page is up to almost 400 “likes”, and we’re beginning the process of giving our City a new digital identity, matching the interests and preferences of residents who utilize the internet for news, information, and updates on local events. Look for the City of Oak Creek Facebook link on city vehicles, buildings, and on our city signs in the very near future. The goal is greater and faster communication between our city staff, elected officials, and our residents.

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2012 at Oak Creek High School. Enjoy your summer, and then on to your next adventure!

Steve