Radio Pod-Cast

This morning I enjoyed participating in a radio interview with Jim Lyke on WCLO. We talked about my upcoming departure and things that are happening in the City. You can listen on-line at http://wclo.com/podcasts/your-talk-show/2010/aug/31/miltons-todd-schmidt/.

Milton Historical Society Fall Events

The Milton Historical Society will be hosting a variety of events at the Milton House this fall including a Vintage Film Series, Twilight Tours, and Heritage Day.

Click here to view an article from the Milton Courier for details.

"What's That???" Winner!

The new "What's That???" winner is Casey Fagan. The Red Rooster is the featured business. The photo was the feet of the rooster on the sign in the front of the store. The original picture is below.

The Red Rooster is located in the Old Junction Mill at 613 W. Madison Avenue on the west side of Milton. The building is a renovated 150 year old feed mill. Click here to view a map.

The Red Rooster is the perfect place to shop for unique gifts for friends and family. There is a distinctive selection of jewelry and a variety of furnishings for your home including accent lighting, seasonal items, candles and accessories, linens, and rugs.

The Red Rooster is holding a summer clearance sale through the end of August to make room for new Fall merchandise. Discounted items include purses, candles, baskets, garden items, and much more!

Ice cream is the perfect thing to treat those back to school blues. Consider taking your family down to The Red Rooster to enjoy an ice cream cone. There are 16 flavors available!

For more information about The Red Rooster, log on to their website at http://oldjunctionmill.com/cms/index.php?page=the-red-rooster.

Thanks to everyone that participated, and watch for another installment of “What’s That???” coming soon.

"What's That???" - August 25, 2010

Today is the fourth installment of "What's That???". Click here to read more information about the blog series.

Pictured to the left is a photo taken at a Milton business. The first correct response will receive a $10 gift certificate from the featured business.

Please submit your answer to the City’s Intern, Inga Jacobson, by e-mail at ijacobson@ci.milton.wi.us or by phone at (608) 868-6900 ext. 4.

Good luck and thanks for participating!

"What's That???" on Wednesday

Watch for another "What's That???" blog on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 9 a.m.

Click here for more information about the "What's That???" Blog Series.

Family Movie Night Moved to Milton East Elementary Gym

Family Movie Night scheduled for tonight, August 20th, has been moved to the Milton East Elementary School Gym due to inclement weather. The event will still begin as scheduled at 6 p.m.

A Bitter-Sweet Resignation

Dear Friends - Following is an announcement that I made at last evening's Council meeting:

It is with bitter-sweet feelings and a tremendous amount of respect for you and the City of Milton that I submit my resignation as Milton City Administrator. I have accepted the position of Village Administrator / Economic Development Director for the Village of Waunakee, which accommodates both professional growth for me and personal desires for my family.

As required by my contractual agreement with the City of Milton, I am providing a 30 day notice. My last day as Administrator with the City will be on Tuesday, September 21st.

It has been an honor and pleasure to serve our beautiful City. I have enjoyed being a part of the City team which has achieved so much since I began more than seven years ago. Together I believe we have made Milton a better City in many different ways. What more could we hope for?

Fortunately for Milton, opportunity abounds. The table is set for growth and prosperity. So many good things are in motion right now which makes this community exciting and vibrant. A talented and dedicated team of department heads and staff will continue to serve this City well. For these reasons I believe my successor will enjoy working for the City as much as I have. You should be encouraged by the direction in which Milton is headed.

To the Mayor and Council I thank you for allowing me to grow as a manager here in Milton. You have trusted me and provided me with resources and creative freedoms in order to succeed. I have enjoyed working with all of you; Mayor Chesmore, former Mayor Bruce, current Alderpersons and past. It has been my distinct privilege to serve you.

To the department head team and my co-workers, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. You all mean so much to me, and I credit all of you for helping shape and mold me as a manager and human being. For that I will be forever grateful and forever your friend.

To my family; Tonya, Sydney and Sawyer... You guys are my glue and my passion. Without your support and faith, there is no way I could be the manager I am today. I am especially grateful for Tonya, who for many weeks in the fall each year becomes a “budget widow” and has endured hundreds of evenings without dad’s help putting the kids to bed. I love you so much and look forward to our new adventure.

Finally, to the people of this great City I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, kindness and graciousness. My family and I treasure the friendships we have made while living here. If a City is defined by its people, Milton stands tall and proud aside all others. It is the people of Milton who truly make this community a wonderful place.

May God bless all of you and the City of Milton in mighty ways. As I have since the day I was hired, my prayers will continue to seek abundance and happiness for the City and its leaders, staff, businesses and citizens. Thank you so, so much for everything.

Rummage Sale Fund Raiser This Weekend

GOT RUMMAGE??? SELL YOUR ITEMS AND HAVE FUN DOING IT

Rent a space for just $5.00 in the Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot on Saturday, August 21. Huge Rummage Sale from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Brat Fry from 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Delicious, sizzling Piggly Wiggly Brats, grilled by The Gathering Place volunteers. To sign up for a rummage spot, call Ashley Cowley at Piggly Wiggly at 868-7900.

Rain Barrel $5 Credit

The City of Milton is now offering a $5 water bill credit to the first 20 residents who purchase a rain barrel for their home. Residents are asked to submit a copy of their receipt and a completed application form to the Clerk/Treasurer's office. Rain barrels are available locally at Dave's Ace Hardware and Patty's Plants.

Click here to access the form and view a brochure with additional details about the program.

Goodrich Square Plan Comments

Maps from the Goodrich Square plan are now available to view at Milton Savings Bank, Bank of Milton, Milton House, and Northleaf Winery. Boxes and comment sheets are also available to submit any thoughts or ideas about the plan.

Click here to view a copy of the entire plan.

Drunk Driving Over the Limit Under Arrest

The Milton Police Department will be participating in the national Drunk Driving Over the Limit Under Arrest campaign. Read the following press release from Officer Kyle Johnson for more information.

The Milton Police Department is announcing the upcoming mobilization of Drunk Driving Over the Limit Under Arrest. This is part of a statewide campaign to crackdown on drunken driving. From August 20 to Sept. 6, 2010 officers will be out in force to arrest impaired individuals who choose to get behind the wheel. This campaign is mobilized with the intent of deterring impaired driving.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin has the shameful reputation of having the highest drunk driving rate in the nation. Last year, there were approximately 45,000 convictions for drunken driving in Wisconsin. 238 people were killed in alcohol related crashes in Wisconsin in 2009. On July 1, 2010, a new state law took effect which significantly strengthens penalties for drunken driving. Various OWI convictions yield penalties of increased jail time. Also, first time offenders with a high blood alcohol level, as well as repeat offenders, are forced to install ignition interlock devices in all vehicles they own. These devices make convicted offenders prove they are sober before they can start the vehicle.

Police want motorists to enjoy the end of the summer. Our goal is not to arrest more drunk drivers. We are simply trying to deter people from getting behind the wheel if they are impaired. If you are feeling “buzzed,” you are likely over the .08 blood alcohol limit and should not drive. Choose a sober driver before you start drinking. With your cooperation in the prevention of drunk driving, we can reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin to zero.

August City Departmental Report Available

The City's Monthly Departmental Report for August is now up on the City Website. Check it out by following this link: http://www.ci.milton.wi.us/document_detail.aspx?document_id=3363.

August 20th - Family Movie Night

The City of Milton Police Department and the School District of Milton are sponsoring a family movie night on August 20th, 2010 in Goodrich Square. The event is designed to encourage family use of the playground equipment and other facilities around the Goodrich square area, and is free of charge. The event details are as follows:

WHAT: FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

WHEN: Friday, August 20th, 2010

WHERE: Goodrich Square, near Milton East Elementary School Playground equipment

TIME: 6:00pm-9:30pm

The movie that will be playing in our outdoor theatre is “Toy Story 2”. Popcorn, beverage and hot dogs will be available for purchase. The first 250 kids in attendance will receive a free Frisbee that they can play with in the park until the movie starts.

If you have questions about the event please contact Chief Jerry Schuetz at the Milton Police Department at 608-868-6910.

Historical Society Completes Work on Goodrich Cabin

Congratulations goes out to the Milton Historical Society for completing work on the Goodrich Cabin. This $130,000 project restored a critical piece to the Milton House campus and the historical role it played with the Underground Railroad. The Janesville Gazette recently ran a nice story about this. You can check it out on-line at http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2010/aug/02/milton-historical-society-repairs-historic-cabin/.

MACCIT Raffle Underway

The Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MACCIT) has launched the 2010 MACCIT Raffle. There are 13 chances to win, with a $2,500 cash grand prize. The drawing will occur during the Chicken BBQ on August 15th. Prizes Include: Grand Prize of $2,500, 2nd Prize $500 and 3rd Prize $100. Prizes are based on 950 ticket sales and winners need not be present to win. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20. All proceeds go to MACCIT and assist with Milton Tourism & Economic Development. Click here for more information including locations where you can buy tickets (or you can get them from me!): http://www.maccit.com/CalendarofEvents/MACCITEvents/MACCITRaffle/tabid/204/Default.aspx.

Milton College Preservation Society to Host Sept. 18th Homecoming Event

The Milton College Preservation Society recently released its summer newsletter. Included in the newsletter is information about an upcoming event on September 18th. To read more about this event and other happenings at Main Hall you can download the newsletter at this link: http://www.miltoncollege.org/newsreview/review_summer_10.pdf.

Mark Your Calendars - Arts & Crafts Fair and Chix BBQ Aug. 15th

On Sunday, August 15th, Milton will host the annual Arts and Crafts Fair and Chicken BBQ on the grounds of the historic Milton House Museum and neighboring North Goodrich Park. The Milton Historical Society and Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MACCIT) co-host this event.

Click on this link for Arts & Crafts Fair information: http://www.miltonhouse.org/arts-crafts.htm.

Click on this link for the Chicken BBQ information: http://www.maccit.com/CalendarofEvents/MACCITEvents/ChickenBBQ/tabid/205/Default.aspx.

Be sure to come out for what is typically one of the largest annual community events in Milton.

New Restaurant in Milton - Gopher's at The Caddy Shack

Welcome to Gopher's, a new restaurant which has opened at The Caddy Shack on Highway 26. Congrats to Danny and Tina on their new venture. The Milton Courier recently ran an article on the business. Check it out at http://www.miltoncourieronline.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=1401.