2005

December 1, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt announced a new, major festival which will take place in downtown Green Bay. International Bayfest, formally held on the UWGB grounds will move to downtown Green Bay this summer. Arts Events Inc., the presenters of Artstreet, along with Tim Quigley, the founder of Bayfest will partner to create a new and exciting downtown festival. This event will be an affordable, family-fun focused offering food, music, and art highlighting cultural activities that celebrate the rich diversity of our community. The event is scheduled to take place on June 9, 10, and 11 in 2006 and will have a $10 million economic impact on the city.

November 28, 2005: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt along with APAC Senior Vice President, Operations, Dave LaBonte, members of the APAC team, City Aldermen, and local businesspeople announced APAC's move to downtown Green Bay. APAC choose Green Bay after a nationwide search. Green Bay offered the opportunity for a state of the art facility. Construction will begin in December with operations expected to to begin in late April to early May. Approximately 1,000 employees are expected in the new facility. APAC is a leading provider of customer care solutions for market leaders in health care, publishing, business services, financial services, communications, travel and hospitality and insurance. Mayor Schmitt called this a win-win situation for the City, APAC and downtown businesses.

November 4, 2005: Children from Fort Howard School visited the Mayor this morning for a civics lesson. The Mayor explained how city government works and took them to the City Council Chambers for a firsthand look at how the council meeting is run. The mayor fielded questions from the youngsters following his presentation.

November 2, 2005: A proactive housing inspection in targeted areas begins on the city's near northeast side where five city housing inspectors will check the ground and exteriors of approximately 1,300 homes.

Each property owner will receive on of three letters. A thank you letter for maintaining their home, a letter alerting them of minor issues, or a letter listing serious violations. Property owners with minor violation will receive a self-reporting card to send back to the city when repairs have been made. Those with serious violations will have a specified time frame in which to make repairs.

The inspectors will be looking at various conditions on the property such as foundation, walls, siding & trim. They will use a proactive housing inspection report form to note the various violations.

Property owners without violations will receive a gift certificate from one of the sponsors.

November 1, 2005: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt presented his 2006 Budget Proposal to the City Council. The $92.4 million proposal will be reviewed by the Council over the next two weeks. The mayor's 1.9% increase in the city tax rate comes in well below the state mandated maximum of 4.2%. The Finance Committee will review the budget at the November 9th meeting followed by a public hearing at the City Council meeting on November 15.

November 1, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt presented the Mayor's Leadership Award to two of the citizens who without regard to their own safety, entered a burning home and rescued two children and their dog. Ralph Hesler, with assistance from Mark Moreno, kicked down the door of the burning home after learning there were two children in danger. Hesler's daughter, Robin Moore ran past the two men after they had kicked in the door and grabbed one of the boys while her father picked up the other. Hesler reentered the home to rescue the children's dog. The award was presented at the City Council meeting.

October 26, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt delivered the welcoming address to the 107th Annual Conference of the Wisconsin League of Municipalities. This year's conference is being held in Green Bay and runs from October 26 through October 28. The League of Municipalities is a voluntary association of cities and villages working to advance local government. Established in 1898, the League's membership consists of 189 cities and 387 villages. 400 local officials are expected to attend the conference. Visit the League's website for more information.

October 18, 2005: Ribbon cutting ceremonies took place this afternoon for the grand opening of CTH EA. This 8.29 mile arterial is the north-south connection on the city's far east side. It currently runs between STH 57 on the north to CTH JJ on the south. Construction is underway to further connect it to STH 29 further south. County Executive Carol Kelso and Mayor Jim Schmitt cut the ribbon. Joining in were Alderman/Supervisor Earl VandenHeuvel and developers John Bunker and Pat Quinn and members of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

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October 18, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt and 30 Eisenhower Elementary third graders joined with DuPont Engineer Keith Lippa in a science exploration. DuPont is hosting a Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) Science in the School Day in cities throughout the US. CUSP provided the students with a fun, hands-on project that explores basic engineering principles. Mayor Schmitt assisted students in building "Gumdrop Domes", using gumdrops and toothpicks as construction materials.

September 28, 2005: Mayor Schmitt met with neighborhood residents tonight to hand out and explain the new City Services Guide. Residents were encouraged to review the contents, tell their neighbors of the availability of the guide and to check out more information contained on the city web site.

September 2, 2005: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt issued a challenge to all communities throughout Wisconsin to join the the City of Green Bay in the CAREs - (Cash And Relief Efforts)

"I can't imagine the massive devastation families are going through in New Orleans" said Mayor Schmitt.

The mayor is issued a challenge to municipalities in Wisconsin to set up cash collection centers for the hurricane victims. A large jar will be available at Green Bay City Hall for anyone who wants to throw in a dollar or spare coins. Checks will be accepted made out to the Salvation Army.

This effort is in effect from September 6 through September 9, 2005.

August 19, 2005: Baylake Bank officially opened its new downtown location with a 10:00 AM ceremony attended by the Mayor and local dignitaries. The new offices are housed in the old Boston Store building which underwent extensive renovation changing the facade dramatically and renovating the inside to accommodate offices and retail in addition to the banking operation.

August 17, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt, along with Chancellor Bruce Shepard, President Jeffrey Rafn and Chamber of Commerce President and former mayor Paul Jadin announced the second annual Entrepreneur's Connection conference to be held in downtown Green Bay at the KI Convention Center on September 14, 2005 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. "This important connection gives our local entrepreneurs a chance to connect with the resources important to their success and survival" the mayor stated.

August 11, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt joined a host of dignitaries for the ground breaking of the new Country Inn & Suites, Ground Round restaurant and The Meadows conference center. Located at the corner of I-43 and East Mason, the complex is expected to open in spring of 2006. The $10+ million development will offer 107 rooms and an aquatic center featuring adult and child pools and a 12-person spa. The restaurant will use the two-room concept, a family-friendly restaurant on one side and a sports bar on the other. The 17,000 square foot Meadows conference center will serve groups of up to 500 for meetings, weddings and other events.

August 9, 2005: Mayor Schmitt took part in a news release regarding the 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ship Festival. Green Bay will serve as an official host port of the American Sail Training Association (ASTA) Tall Ships Challenge® Race Series. A fleet of 10 - 16 ASTA Tall Ships® will arrive at the Port of Green Bay on July 27, 2006. A four-day festival will be held on the WPS grounds featuring ship tours, food, music, sailing excursions, crew competitions and much more. It is expected to draw over 50,000 people with an economic impact of $2.2 million.

July 12, 2005: LTC Michael Gourlie sent a photo and an update regarding the "Green Bay Avenue" sign sent to Afghanistan on March 15, 2005. Michael noted in his email that "at home we usually put in the road first. A little different here." The intersection is surveyed and the sign should be installed a couple of weeks from now. Michael promised a photo of the installed sign.

July 4, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt poses in his period costume sitting atop the "Freedom Fighter" motorcycle. Earlier that day, the mayor participated in the ringing of the Liberty Bell replica, a memorial service in Veterans Park, and marched in the Heritage Hill parade. He read the Declaration of Independence at Heritage Hill Town Hall. In the afternoon, the mayor and thousands of area residents enjoyed the festivities for Celebrate Americafest including the evening fireworks display.

May 24, 2005: A national award was presented to the City of Green Bay Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department today. The Summer Lunch Program was selected by a national panel of the USDA as one of only five in the country. The award was presented to the city and its partner, Green Bay Area Public Schools by David Dees, Director of Community Nutrition for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Dan Nerad, School Superintendent accepted the award.

May 17, 2005: A dedication ceremony was held at Austin Straubel International Airport this afternoon to unveil the City of Green Bay logo emblazed on the nose of the plane. The C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft is operated by the 440th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve based in Milwaukee. Green Bay area reservists make up about 200 of the 1,200 unit force. The plane joins five others named for Wisconsin cities. A crowd of about 100 attended the ceremony. The aircraft will be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for daily airlifts of cargo and troops throughout the region.

East and West High Schools celebrate 100 years of rivalry! Details were released Wednesday afternoon regarding the East/West High Schools 100 year celebration. Among the dignitaries were School Superintendent Dan Nerad and Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.

Mayor Schmitt said he was excited about this event and stated the City will support and accommodate the events associated with this celebration. He said "We are glad to be a part of this historic celebration".

Superintendent Dan Nerad said "This is a great, friendly competition among two long-lived schools".

April 5, 2005: This afternoon under sunny skies and 72 degree temperatures, ground breaking took place on the City's east bank of the Fox River for the new condo development by the firm Vetter-Denk. The Riverfront Lofts project is expected to be completed by Spring of 2006. Mayor Schmitt, along with city officials and early buyers took part of the ground breaking ceremony.

March 28, 2005: The Mayor along with area leaders and members of Project Vote issued a challenge to area voters to get out and vote on April 5th. At least nine municipalities in Brown County will compete in the Voter Challenge, a competition for the highest voter turnout in the county. The Village of Howard was the previous winner and turned back the trophy awarded after the last election.

March 23, 2005: The Mayor delivered his second State of the City Address tonight at the Meyer Theatre to an audience of approximately 200 people. The forty-five minute speech focused on Streamlining Government Operations, Enhancing Economic Development, and Strengthening Neighborhoods.

March 15, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt presented Lee Lamers, a 17 year old Southwest High School senior the Mayor's Leadership Award at Tuesday's Council Meeting. Lee is one of 20,000 young people across the country being considered for the Prudential Spirit of Community awards and will receive an engraved bronze medallion. Lee volunteered his time to repair, renovate and landscape the grounds of a school for children with disabilities. The Mayor wished him well in his future endeavors.

March 15, 2005: When Michael Gourlie, a Wisconsin Army National Guardsman stationed in Afghanistan, made a request for a street sign representing the City of Green Bay in Afghanistan, the mayor's office was happy to oblige. Mayor Schmitt presented the sign to representatives of our armed forces at Tuesday nights Council Meeting. The sign is being forwarded to Afghanistan and to Michael.

March 7, 2005: Two new officers were sworn into service at the Green Bay Police Department this morning at a ceremony attended by Mayor Jim Schmitt, Police Chief Craig VanSchyndle, and family members. They are Officer Keith Ruiz and Officer Janelle Kleeman. Pictured here is VanSchyndle, Ruiz, records manager Kathy Allcox, Kleeman, and Mayor Schmitt.

February 14, 2005: The City Council met on Monday due to the following days election. At the request of Mayor Schmitt, the meeting time was moved up to 5:30 PM so he could keep a promise to his sweethearts - his wife and three girls. The mayor promised them a dinner out on Valentines Day. The meeting began with a serenade from his brothers Barbershop Quartet shown here signing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" to the delight of the Council Members and audience.

February 9, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt welcomed David Rusk to Green Bay and gave him a personal tour of the housing in Green Bay. Mr. Rusk spoke before a crowd of over 150 people including leaders from Green Bay and various interested leaders and parties throughout the county. David Rusk is an author, speaker, and consultant on urban policy. His basic theme is how urban sprawl, racial segregation, and concentrated poverty interact and impact a region’s growth patterns, social equity, and quality of life. A former mayor of Albuquerque and state legislator, he is a strong champion of regional strategies, particularly growth management, mixed-income housing, and tax base sharing.  

February 1, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt proclaimed February American Heart Month and specifically February 4th "Wear Red For Women Day". The Mayor, Dr. Richard Jenny, MD of Cardiology Associates of Green Bay, along with Debbie Danforth, assistant medical director of the Oneida Community Health Center explained the dangers women face today in the area of heart disease. This effort, Wear Red For Women, is designed to bring attention to the fact that over 1,300 women in northeast Wisconsin die annually of heart disease.

January 29, 2005: Mayor Schmitt volunteered for the dunk tank at On Broadway's Winterfest. On Broadway is a Main Street Program and this event is a fund raiser for the district. The Mayor was dunked several times by both children and adults. He was quoted as saying "The water was cold and the aims were good"! The event included ice sculptures, beer barrel racing, curling club demonstrations, Green Bay Gambler Slap Shot, and a chili cook-off. The days high was 32 degrees.

January 25, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt and Police Chief Craig Van Schyndle presented awards to 2 sworn officers, 2 non-sworn employees, and 14 civilians for their involvement in 11 different incidents at the Green Bay City Council meeting. Those honored were: Captain James Arts, Life Saving Medal - January 1,1998; CCO Rhonda Manning, police Medal - March 1996; Mr. Arlyn Adams, Citizens Service Medal - December 23, 1994; Mr. Rodney Moran and Mr. John Murphy, Citizens Service Medal - January 1, 1996; Morgan and Alex Heyrman, Life Saving Medal - October 5, 1997; Mr. Ricky Zimerman, Life Saving Medal - April 11, 1999; Mr. Chao Yang, Mr. Ben Kong, Mr. Lee Yang, and Mr. Adam Yang, Life Saving Medal - June 16, 1999; Photo-Identification Technician Michael Erickson, Distinguished Service Medal; Officer Richard Garner, Meritorious Service Medal - 1998-2000; Captain Lisa Sterr, Meritorious Service Medal - 1998-1999; Officer Rodney Reetz, Distinguished Service Medal - June 6, 1996; Mr. Kenneth Boyd, Certificate of Appreciation - March 12, 1996; CCO Lauren Grandaw, Certificate of Appreciation - November 10, 1996; Officer Todd LePine, Certificate of Appreciation - March 17, 1996.

January 7, 2005: Mayor Schmitt declared Sunday, January 9, 2005 as "Reggie White Day" in the City of Green Bay. Mayor Schmitt asked that all at the stadium and at home recognize a moment of silence before the game to reflect on the life of Reggie White. This moment was shown on national television before the game.

January 7, 2005: Mayor Jim Schmitt challenges the mayor of Minneapolis to a friendly wager. Schmitt wagered a pound of Wisconsin cheese and a pound of fudge for each point in the margin of a Minneapolis victory.