Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Photo Essay: Inauguration Day 2016 for the City of Milwaukee’s elected leaders

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 20, 2016

The public inauguration for City of Milwaukee elected officials was held on April 19, 2016 at City Hall. Mayor Tom Barrett, Common Council members, and other elected city officials were sworn in for the new term, which lasts until 2020. A charter meeting was held just before the ceremonies to select a Common Council President, and Alderman Ashanti Hamilton was elected by unanimous vote. The event was filled with optimism and hope, and much symbolism. This Photo Essay documented moments from the day, when our elected officials gathered with their families and members of the community to begin the...

Building communities by expanding Milwaukee’s urban forest

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 18, 2016 |

Five communities grew closer together on April 16 as fruit and nut trees were added to the city’s arboricultural canopy. Part of the Victory Garden Initiative’s (VGI) annual Fruity Nutty 5 Contest, the day-long planting saw five new orchards added to the urban environment. Since its inception in 2012, the contest has now planted twenty-five orchards throughout Milwaukee County. Winners were announced in February at the Fruity Nutty Affair gala, which included the Hales Corners Environmental Committee, Centro Hispano, Urban Eden Community Garden, 5Points Neighborhood Association (5PNA), and Gordon Place. More than one hundred volunteers participated at the five locations, where they...

Photo Essay: Fruity Nutty

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 18, 2016 |

“I thought that planing trees would make the community more cohesive.” – Markie Schmidt Select moments from the Fruity Nutty tree planting project on April 16, when the Victory Garden Initiative helped another five Milwaukee communities grow closer together. More that one hundred volunteers participated in building orchards and friendships around healthy food. “I was impressed with the age, gender and racial diversity of the volunteers, and the way they worked so hard all day as a team to get it all done.” – Kelly Moore Brands “We are hoping to help pioneer a grassroots movement around nutrition, health,...

Annual summit engages sustainable action

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 14, 2016 |

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino hosted the 13th Annual Sustainability Summit and Exposition this year, bringing the event to the Menomonee Valley for the first time. “The Menominee Valley is a certainly a showcase for environmental sustainability,” said Tom Barrett, the 40th Mayor of Milwaukee. “We’ve turned polluted land back into an eco-industrial zone. We’ve been recognized by the Sierra Club as one of the environment success stories in our nation.” The two day event being held from April 13 to 14 highlights economic trends and business opportunities in energy, water, infrastructure, transportation, and workforce development, with their implementation in...

Photo Essay: Eco Expo

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 14, 2016 |

The two-day Sustainability Summit and Exposition highlights economic trends and business opportunities in energy, water, infrastructure, transportation, and workforce development, with their implementation in Southeast Wisconsin.

Milwaukee’s Rapid Transit plan outlined at public forum

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 13, 2016 |

Milwaukee County and MCTS held the first of two public meetings this week to get input on the Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study. Milwaukee County officials asked for public input during their first presentation of a proposed transit system on April 12 at O’Donnell Park. The bus rapid transit (BRT) would initially be a seven-mile east-west corridor connecting downtown Milwaukee with the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and Milwaukee County Research Park (MCRP). The route connects a mix of commercial locations and residences. Currently in the feasibility study phase, a BRT would provide a faster public transportation system for...