2007

	December 3, 2007: Mayor Schmitt announced the start of the first annual It's a Wonderful Lights Tour. It's a citywide Christmas light decorating contest. Citizens are urged to vote for the "Most Wonderful" if five categories.

	November 16, 2007: The Common Council passes a $76.7 million budget in the early morning hours of November 16th. The tax rate to city residents will increase form 2007's 8.09 rate to 8.42 for 2008.

	November 15, 2007: Mayor Schmitt stopped in on opening day at the Daily Buzz, a new Espresso Bar located on the first floor of the Bellin Building in downtown Green Bay. The Daily Buzz offers coffee, breakfast bakery items, grab 'n go lunch combos, and specialty drinks.

	November 14, 2007: The annual Peace Tree lighting took place on the Court House lawn on November 14th. Mayor Schmitt led area children in a countdown to lighting the tree and sang Let There Be Peace on Earth to kick off the holiday season.

	November 9, 2007: Mayor Schmitt and Michael MacDonald, Shopko Chairman and CEO, unveiled the new Shopko Landing. Shopko has donated $250,000 to build the northern most landing at the CityDeck. Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2008. MacDonald was pleased to have his company be a part of the revitalization of downtown and Schmitt noted the many people who are going to enjoy this project.

	November 7, 2007: Mayor Schmitt along with key City Staff, WS Packaging CEO Terry Fulwiler and employees, contractor Tom Zeise and others broke ground for the national headquarters of WS Packaging, a 41 year-old company that has 18 manufacturing facilities, 70 sales offices and over 2,000 employees. This is the first major employer to locate within the new University Heights Commerce Center.

	October 29, 2007: Mayor Jim Schmitt along with State Representatives Jim Soletski, Karl VanRoy and State Senator Dave Hansen announced state funding of $2.8 million for the construction of the CityDeck in downtown Green Bay. This money is part of the Wisconsin budget recently singed into law by Governor Jim Doyle and secures the construction time line set by the city. While private donations are being sought for the balance of the project, this money is the largest contribution to date and ensures that NE Wisconsin remains a viable resource to the state.

	September 12, 2007: Mayor Schmitt and the Sustainable Green Bay Task Force offered a challenge to businesses and other organizations in the greater Green Bay area to produce significant energy savings, provide substantial environmental benefits, and potentially deliver local economic benefits as well. This is an opportunity to purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs at a discounted price as well as corporate recognition for promoting the event at their facilities.

	September 11, 2007: A short ceremony was held to rename Fire Station No. 5 to Arnie Wolff Station. Wolff died in the line of duty fighting a fire when he fell into the basement of the home and succumbed to fire and smoke.

	September 11, 2007: A memorial ceremony was held this morning to remember those who died in the World Trade Center disaster. Representatives from the Police and Fire were on hand along with Mayor Jim Schmitt, Brown County Executive Tom Hinz, other elected officials and interested parties.

	August 10, 2007: Mayor Jim Schmitt was on hand for the unveiling of the art sculpture which takes the place of the parking meters along Broadway. The project was made possible by a grant through newArts.

	July 25, 2007: Mayor Schmitt took a bus ride to demonstrate how easy it is to take your bike with you. Buses are now equipped with bike racks which will hold two bikes. The Mayor demonstrated the ease to secure your bike and remove it at the end of your bus ride. the bike racks were partially funded by a Federal grant to encourage the use of bikes in combination with pubic transit. The new racks make it easy for metro users to access the many recreational trails, as well as bike to and from bus stops to their final destination.

	July 20, 2007: Mayor Schmitt unveiled the logo designated for the future boardwalk which will be located along the river between Main and Walnut Street bridges on the east bank of the Fox River. The CityDeck construction is slated to begin in 2008 and is expected to be finished by 2010. The goal of the CityDeck is to reacquaint the community with the Fox River as well as energize downtown revitalization.

	July 12, 2007: Mayor Schmitt and John Vetter of Vetter Denk Architects led a ceremony of commemorating the beginning of a new downtown and riverfront. The demolition of the former Younkers building has now officially begun. The "Green" breaking is because this is a sustainable demolition. 80% of the materials will be recycled, re-used, and diverted from the landfill.

	July 11, 2007: Mayor Schmitt announced free WIFI along the river in downtown Green Bay is up and running. The city partnerned with Cellcon/Nsight to provide this service. Now anyone with a wireless enabled laptop or wireless data device can access the internet through the GB WIFI.

	July 10, 2007: Mayor Schmitt and Senator Dave Hansen announced that Senate Bill 122, known as the Newark Repair Bill, made it into the budgets of both legislative houses. Mayor Schmitt urged the legislators to pass the budget before August 1st in order to protect taxpayers. A tax loophole was found that allows companies to become exempt from property taxes for re-using material in their manufacturing process.

	July 5, 2007: The Green Bay Packers and Mayor Jim Schmitt along with Dan Nerad, Green Bay Area Public School superintendent, announced a July 31st Packer practice to take place at City Stadium located at East High School. This is the first practice in more than 50 years at the team's former home field which hosted such greats as Don Hutson, Curly Lambeau and Clark Hinkle.

	July 4,2007: The Mayor's Neighborhood Leadership Council sponsored two of the first pieces of artwork being displayed along the east side of the Fox River. the finalists were selected among a group of artists from across the nation. The pieces relate to the Fox River and its historic roots.

	June 4, 2007: The Mayor, Dick Resch, City Council members and Friends of Fisk Pool were on hand for the grand opening of the new Resch Aquatic Center located on the site of the former Fisk Pool.

	May 20, 2007: Mayor Schmitt makes good on his word leading by example in a healthier lifestyle by participating in the annual Cellcom Marathon. The Mayor finished the Men's Half Marathon in 2:06:04 hours. Over 5,00 entrants ran the various courses all ending with a run through Lambeau Field.

	May 17, 2007: Green Bay Mayor turned over the keys to the former Younker's complex to developers of the River Vision Partnership, LLC, a team of developers including John Vetter, Kelly Dnk, Tim Dixon and Steve Looft. River Center will include apartments, condominiums, restaurants, cafes and home to the new Children's Museum.

	April 19, 2007: Mayor Schmitt, City Council President Chad Fradette and local developer Paul Kaczrowski unveiled Green Bay's newest premier luxury condo unit development. Unlike any other development in northeastern Wisconsin, this project will offer extraordinary skyline views of the city including Lambeau Field. Residents will have the comfort of home with the convenience and service of a hotel, including concierge, housekeeping and limousine services.

	April 21, 2007: Mayor Schmitt celebrated Earth Day by taking part in a special tree planting project at one of the city's gateways. Organized by the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation with the help of several local environmental groups and corporate sponsors, volunteers will be planting dozens of trees and shrubs along the Highway 54/57 entrance to Green Bay at North Huron Road.

	April 19, 2007: The Mayor celebrated Earth Week by issuing a challenge to the entire Greater Green Bay area to Leave Your Car at Home this Thursday, April 19, 207. This year the Mayor will be riding in a Green Bay Metro bus to work.

	April 16, 2007: Mayor Schmitt and Brown County Executive Tom Hinz were officially sworn into office at the ceremony in the Brown County Courthouse Branch VIII Courtroom. The Mayor and the new County Executive have elected to start off on the same foot together in a spirit of intergovernmental cooperation.

	April 9, 2007: The Mayor and the Sustainable Green Bay Task Force announced a series of 12 major initiatives in areas of land use, energy, air/water, and transportation. The task force if made up of experts from the public and private sectors to formulate concrete, achievable initiatives that will bring visible results for the conservation of natural resources in the Greater Green Bay Area.

	March 28, 2007: Mayor Schmitt joined Jeffery Royle to break ground for the Green Bay Bullfrogs addition of the Fan Deck to be built at historic Joannes Stadium. A partnership has be finalized with Triangle Distributing of Green Bay. The newest amenity to Joannes Stadium will be known as the "Leinies Northwoods Deck." The multi-tiered deck will be constructed down the right field line.

	March 5, 2007: Mayor Schmitt delivered his State of the City address to an audience of over 350 at the historic Meyer Theatre. He spoke of the accomplishments the city has achieved over the year and outlined his goals for the coming year. Some of these initiatives include the "Project Porch Light", "Drive 25!" in your neighborhood, homeless issues, redevelopment of Military Avenue, city recreational areas and neighborhood issues.

	February 27, 2007: Mayor Jim Schmitt announced a proposal that would bar an registered sex offender from living within 1,500 feet from any school, licensed day care, park, trail system, or place of worship that children are known to gather. The proposed ordinance provides a process for appeal that can take into account Romeo and Juliet cases. It also prevents the state Department of Corrections from housing new registered child sex offenders in prohibited areas

	February 14, 2007: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, in partnership with Don McDonald of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership announced the recipients of the Manufacturing Improvement Assistance Grant. Mike Krysiak, president of ENCAP accepted a check for $4,000 in grant funds. A total of twenty-two local manufacturing companies were awarded grant funds. The Mayor also announced the grant program has been re-authorized and commissioned for another round of applicants.

	January 11, 2007: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt and Celebrate Americafest announced the new lead sponsor for the event as Festival Foods. New features being considered for this year's festival include expanding reserved seating areas for the fireworks featuring entertainment before and after the fireworks, more rides and games for kids of all ages and more.

	January 5, 2007: Jim Schmitt welcomed Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton to Green Bay at the Boys and Girls Club on the city's east side. Because not everyone in Wisconsin will be able to attend the inauguration festivities in Madison, Governor Doyle and Lt. Governor Lawton are bringing the celebration to communities across the state so all Wisconsinites can participate