Meeting Nov. 1 @ 6:30 pm

The City Council is having a hearing and voting on the proposed Walmart zoning. This meeting is open to the public. Let's go voice our concerns!

Some facts...

  • Walmart puts local businesses out of business.
  • With the loss of local businesses, local charities & causes lose important sources of donations.
  • Walmart seeks subsidies from state and local governments as well as avoids paying it’s taxes.
  • Wages at Walmart are much lower than wages in other stores.
  • Employee wages are well below poverty level.
  • Employees are encouraged to use public programs instead of the company programs for insurance and other assistance.

From Walmart's Economic Footprint (PDF)

Net Loss of Jobs, Fewer Small Businesses

"...Wal-Mart depresses area wages and labor benefits contributing to the current decline of good middle class jobs, pushes out more retail jobs than it creates, and results in more retail vacancies."
      -page 4

"Wal-Mart’s entry into a new market has a strongly negative effect on existing retailers. Supermarkets and discount variety stores are the most adversely affected sectors, suffering sales declines of 10 to 40% after Wal-Mart moves in."
      -page 4

Wal-Mart’s Costs to Taxpayers

"Wal-Mart has thousands of associates who qualify for Medicaid and other publicly subsidized care, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill."
      -page 5

"Wal-Mart likely avoided paying $245 million in taxes 2008 by paying rent to itself and then deducting that rent from its taxable income."
      -page 5

Wal-Mart’s low paying jobs contribute to the decline of the middle class

"Wal-Mart’s average annual pay of $20,774 is below the Federal Poverty Level for a family of four."
      -page 6

Less money stays in the community

"...for every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 stayed in the local economy while chain stores only left $43 to recirculate locally."
      -page 9

Here is the contact info for the Mayor and Alderman

Give them a call, send them a letter, send the city clerk a letter, and get talking to everyone!

MAYOR Thomas Zepecki zepecki@ci.south-milwaukee.wi.us 414-768-8049
1ST DISTRICT ALDERMAN Craig Maass craig@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-762-5941
1ST DISTRICT ALDERMAN Frank Van Dusen III frank@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-766-0015
2ND DISTRICT ALDERMAN Ramon Navarro ramon@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-762-6841
2ND DISTRICT ALDERMAN R. Patrick Stoner pat@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-764-6519
3RD DISTRICT ALDERMAN Lisa Pieper lmpieper@wi.rr.com 414-762-0877
3RD DISTRICT ALDERMAN Joe Bukowski joe@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-762-8305
4TH DISTRICT ALDERMAN David Bartoshevich david@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-764-2836
4TH DISTRICT ALDERMAN Erik Brooks erik@southmilwaukeewi.org 414-764-8673

City Clerk Info

Clerk's Fax: 414-762-3272; General Line: 414-762-2222
CITY CLERK James Shelenske Shelenske@ci.south-milwaukee.wi.us 414-762-2222 ext 127
DEPUTY CLERK Karen Stritchko Stritchko@ci.south-milwaukee.wi.us 414-762-2222 ext 126