2006
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December 18, 2006: Santa and his "elf", Mayor Schmitt delivered Christmas gifts to residents of Badger Terrace Senior Apartments as part of the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program. Children form De Pere middle school each made or bought a gift for one of the residents and delivered them with help from Santa and the Mayor to their designated recipient. |
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December 15, 2006: Jim Arts, a 20-year veteran of the Green Bay Police Department was sworn in as the 17th Chief of Police succeeding Craig Van Schyndle. |
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December 1, 2006: Beni Boutique Opens on Broadway with with formal ribbon cutting ceremony. The Mayor expressed his wishes for success to winners Barbara and Paul Davis and told them his favorite duty is to welcome new businesses to the downtown area. The new boutique specializes in semi-formal, formal- business casual, evening and weekend wear. |
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November 24, 2006: Mayor Proclaims "Be a Santa to a Senior Day". The Mayor read the proclamation to Santa at the Home Instead Senior Care offices. Home Instead is placing Christmas trees in various retail stores throughout the area featuring ornaments with the first names of seniors and their gift requests. Shoppers are urged to take an ornament from the tree and purchase the respective gift, then return the gift under the tree. Santa and his elf, Mayor Schmitt, will then deliver a number of gifts to area seniors. |
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November 16, 2008: Mayor Jim Schmitt joined the Fort Howard Elementary School Choir and onlookers singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" at the annual Peace Tree Lighting ceremony. This years event took place at the rotunda of the KI Convention Center with a crowd of approximately 100 people. |
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November 15, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt along with City Economic Development Director Allison Swanson and Mike Wojcicki of Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, announced the creation of a limited time grant program aimed at helping city manufacturers stay competitive. $140,000 is available with each manufacturing company able receive $4,000 each. Plants must be located in the City of Green Bay with fewer than 500 employees. |
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November 11, 2006: A ground breaking ceremony was held for the new Arnie Wolff Sports Complex. The complex is named in honor of Green Bay firefighter Arine Wolff who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. The 38 acre complex is the result of efforts of Council President Chad Fradette and councilman Thomas DeWane, along with area firefighter and the Wolff family. the complex will be located in a former city landfill area on Humbloldt Road. |
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October 14, 2006: Official ground breaking ceremonies were held for the new Resch Aquatic Center on the site of the old Fisk Pool. Joining Mayor Schmitt were children and faculty from Elmore School, who helped raise money for the new facility along with members of the "Save Fisk Pool" committee, aldermen and Dick Resch. The facility is anticipated to open in Spring of 2007. |
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October 10, 2006: Senator Herb Kohl joined Mayor Jim Schmitt in announcing federal funding for the revitalization of the waterfront in Green Bay. The funds will go towards efforts by the City to move Reiss |
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October 2, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt kicked of the "Change a Light Challenge" at his home by replacing five of the most frequently used light fixture bulbs with EnergyStar qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs. By doing this, the homeowner can save as much as $60 per year on utility bills. The Mayor stated with the the high cost of energy, this is a good way to save money and conserve at the same time. |
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October 1, 2006: In response to Green Bay East High School senior Matt Atkinson's honorable actions to alert authorities and thwart a potential attack on the school, Mayor Jim Schmitt, Matt Atkinson, and community leaders announce the creation of the Matt Atkinson Scholarship of Honor. The awards will be provided on an annual |
September 19, 2006: Jim Arts was named as Chief of Police after being offered the job by the Green Bay Police and Fire Commission. Arts has been with the department for more than two decades in a variety of roles. |
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September 10, 2006: The road formerly known as Advance Street in Green Bay became officially dedicated on Sunday, September 10, as Tony Canadeo Run. The street renaming ceremony honored the NFL Hall of Famer and Packer Great, Tony Canadeo. |
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July 26, 2006: The Personnel Committee unanimously approved the Mayor's request to amend Chapter 18 of the Green Bay Policy Manual to eliminate smoking in all city buildings. This in essence will shut down the much-debated employee smoking lounge established by previous administrations. |
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June 9, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt dedicated the new Leicht Memorial Park in downtown Green Bay, unveiling 20 international flags representing the city's diversity. The flags include Memoninee, Oneida, France, Great Britain, Germany, Czechoslovakia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland Laos, Mexico, Italy, Finland, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and India. "This is a great day for our community, said Mayor Schmitt. "In years to come, this park will be a focal point for culture, celebrations and family fun. It's the perfect place to bring people together and enjoy our City's beautiful riverfront." This event kicked of the new International Bayfest running through June 11 and will be followed by many festivals in the coming years. |
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June 8, 2006: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt and Ashwaubenon Village President Nubs DeCleene officially turned on the water to Ashwaubenon residents. The project was finished six months ahead of schedule and more that a half a million dollars under budget. Ashwaubenon residents now have superior water that meets or exceeds all water quality standards. The mayor noted the intergovernmental cooperation and friendship between the city and the village made this project go smoothly and hoped to have more projects with the village in the future. |
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May 25, 2006: Ground breaking ceremonies were held for the new state of the art 12-screen theatre located in Green Bay's I-43 Business Center. Bruce Olsen, president of Marcus Theatres Corporation said his company is thrilled to break ground for this new theatre. The facility will be an elegant art deco showplace featuring classic finishes such as warm woods, rich stone floors and granite counters. The theatre will occupy approximately 12 of the 30 acre parcel. The remaining land will eventually be home to compatible businesses. Construction is scheduled for completion in late November, 2006. |
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April 26, 2006: The Mayor, along with City Council representatives, Green Bay Police Commander Jim Arts, and neighborhood associations presidents, announced the Zero Tolerance Public Nuisance Enforcement Policy and Impact Zones. The Mayor stressed "This is a quality of life issue" adding that enforcement of minor criminal activity has been show to significantly lower future crime rates. Some of the issues the department will be monitoring include loitering, prowling, obstruction of traffic, loud mufflers, and illegal drugs. |
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April 26, 2006: Mayor Schmitt gave the welcoming address to attendees of the Wisconsin DNR conference held at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay. Wisconsin cities showcased redevelopment projects involving environmental issues and how they were resolved. Over 150 people were in attendance. |
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April 25, 2006: Mayor Schmitt unveiled the 2006 creations for the Einstein Project's Butterflies and Friends on Parade. this year the butterfly will be joined by a beetle and a frog. Artists will begin work on 40 designs which will be unveiled in June and placed throughout the city for public viewing. The pieces will be auctioned off on October 17th with proceeds going to the Einstein Project, a non-profit school-business-community partnership dedicated to improving the quality of science education for K-8 students in Wisconsin. |
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April 19, 2006: Mayor Schmitt, District Attorney John Zakowski, and Wisconsin State Consumer Protection Supervisor, Bob Zaspel, sent a strong message to unrepentant landlords. Mayor Schmitt noted that problem properties drain city resources, create safety concerns, and attract an unsavory element to neighborhoods. "This landlord was given every opportunity to comply" stated Zakowski. A complaint has been filed by the District Attorney's office. |
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April 19, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt, along with Larry Names, President of Major League Diamond ball , and Joe Malecki, President and GM of the Green Bay Bounders, announced Joannes Park in Green Bay will be home to league champions Green Bay Bounders. |
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April 18, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt proclaimed Thursday, April 20, 2006 as Leave Your Car At Home day. With students from East High Environmental Club behind, the Mayor read the proclamation and encouraged everyone living and working in the City of Green Bay to save fossil fuel and find an alternate way to work or school. |
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April 17, 2006: Mayor Schmitt cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Ground Round located in Green Bay's I-43 Business Center. Ground Round is part of the new Country Inn and Suites development. The Ground Round Grill and Bar is a casual dining establishment with 35 years of experience. Mayor Schmitt welcomed them to the I-43 Business Center and to the City of Green Bay citing them as one more asset to the city. |
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April 17, 2006: With the old Younker's buildings across the river as a backdrop, Governor Doyle announced state tax credits for the River Center Lofts development in downtown Green Bay. Mayor Schmitt was on hand and thanked the Governor and WHEDA saying these tax credits were badly needed to continue with this project. |
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April 13, 2006: Mayor Schmitt welcomed the new council members telling them he is at their disposal in their efforts to make Green Bay the best place to live and work. Department heads were on hand to explain their department functions and the committees related to them. |
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April 11, 2006: Mayor Schmitt, along with representatives from Project Vote, announced the winning municipality for the largest percentage of voters in the April 4th Spring Election. The Village of Allouez won with a 30.8 percent turnout and will keep the traveling trophy until the Fall election results are known. The percentage is based on the number of registered voters in the municipality. Glen Tilot and Jim Morrison, co-chairs of Project Vote, said the Voter Challenge has helped draw public attention to voting while also bringing fun and competition to the process. |
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March 30, 2006: Mayor Schmitt, along with Aldermen Theisen, Arnoldi, and Nelson, Assistant Inspector Superintendent Larry Wiest, Police Commander Arts, and Navarino Neighborhood Association board member, Deby Dehn, announced a successful end to the proactive housing inspections in two city neighborhoods. Before announcing the Navarino neighborhood will be the next inspection area, the mayor asked Thea M. Ahrenholtz, The Home Depot Human Resource Manager to draw the winner of a Ridgid combo kit drill, impact driver and storage bag donated by The Home Depot and valuing $199.00 The winner is Kevin Brosig of Wise Street. |
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March 2, 2006: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt gave his State of the City speech at the Meyer Theatre to an audience of 250. The mayor reported on the accomplishments of the past year and outlined his vision for the future. He pointed out the cost saving efforts being implemented by the city, many of the ideas coming from the employees. He cited the new downtown developments bringing in an estimated 100 million dollars of new construction. |
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February 25, 2006: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt along with De Pere Mayor Mike Walsh welcomed home the men and women of the 890th. The welcome ceremonies took place at the Army Reserve Center in Ashwaubenon. Friends and family of the unit were on hand along with VFW representatives. After a short welcome by the dignitaries, the unit was officially dismissed to enjoy their families and carry on with their civilian lives. |
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February 18, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt, Aldermen Chris Wery and Chad Fradette took the Polar Plunge into a frigid section of the old Fisk Pool to raise money for the renovation of the pool into the new Resch Aquatic Center. The event was expected to raise another $10,000 bringing the total raised to date $445,000. |
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February 10, 2006: Green Bay residents Paul and Jeanette Dufek received the keys to a new Ford Escape hybrid from Mayor Jim Schmitt. Dufek never thought he would be the winner just for signing up for high-sped Internet with TDS Metrocom. On January 20, he received a call from TDS explaining his name has been drawn as the grand prize winner. The sweepstakes began in October 2005 and ran through December 2005. There were also five $1,000 gas card winners. |
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January 5, 2006; Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton arrived in Green Bay to announce the $1.1 million in federal homeland security grants under the Wisconsin Maritime Security and Homeland Security Grant Programs to protect Wisconsin's harbors. "Wisconsin's ports move 40 million tons of goods worth more than $7 billion every year," Lt. Governor Lawton said. This grant will provide equipment, training and a state of the art boat to the Police and Fire Departments. The boats will be in operation by the spring shipping season. The 30-foot boats will be used for terrorism prevention and to investigate any threats to the harbors. The boats will allow for year-round operation on the Great Lakes. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton arrived in Green Bay Thursday morning to announce the $1.1 million in federal homeland security grants under the Wisconsin Maritime Security and Homeland Security Grant Programs to protect Wisconsin's harbors. "Wisconsin's ports move 40 million tons of goods worth more than $7 billion every year," Lt. Governor Lawton said. This grant will provide equipment, training and a state of the art boat to the Police and Fire Departments. The boats will be in operation by the spring shipping season. The 30-foot boats will be used for terrorism prevention and to investigate any threats to the harbors. The boats will allow for year-round operation on the Great Lakes. |
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January 1, 2006: Mayor Jim Schmitt welcomed Mayor Mark Heleker of Payette, Idaho to the City of Green Bay. The Mayors spent several hours talking about common city issues and exchanged many ideas. Mayor Schmitt showcased recent development plan, and highlighted several neighborhood enhancement initiatives. |