Construction delays next week, a good week for fair maps and an extra bad week for the Green Bay Packers
The good week, bad week and other news round up for the week from our Nov. 4, 2021 issue
Good week for: Fans of new maps
A new set of district maps have been proposed by the People’s Map Commission of Wisconsin.
“For years, the people of this state have asked their elected officials for nonpartisan redistricting,” Gov. Evers said in a statement. “For years, the people of this state have demanded better and fairer maps. And for years, the people of this state have gone ignored.”
The newly released maps were created after a year-long process that include public input and draft maps released in late September.
A statement provided by the People’s Map Commission said the body received nearly 2,000 submissions, including from Wisconsinites representing 68 counties and 321 municipalities, as well as 18 leading redistricting experts.
The final maps released were drawn with the following criteria: best efforts to not split communities of interest submitted by residents in each region of the state, address concerns around competitiveness, and follow a nonpartisan, transparent process.
“From the beginning, our effort to create fair and accurate redistricting maps was unique,” People’s Maps Commission Chair Christopher Ford said. “As a nonpartisan commission, at each step we have followed best practices for creating new legislative district maps with transparency, consensus and voter input in mind rather than partisan advantage.”
The People’s Maps Commission is composed of nine commissioners who represent Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts. The individuals could not be lobbyists, political candidates, state or local officials or officers or members of the governing body of a political party. The commission said it is made up of educators, doctors, librarians, tribal members, public servants, private-sector employees, retired Wisconsinites and leaders in the business community.
The newly released maps can be viewed at www.govstatus.egov.com/peoplesmaps.
Bad week for: Green Bay drivers
The Green Bay Public Works Departments announced the closure of a Dousman Street and Gray Street intersection on the near-west side of the city.
The closure starts on Wednesday, Nov. 3 and lasts until the end of the day Tuesday, Nov. 9.
The closure comes on the heels of a planned pavement and utility reconstruction along Gray Street from Dousman Street to Mather Street.
The Public Works Department issued guidance for detours as follows: Dousman Street traffic will be detoured to North Ashland Avenue to West Walnut Street to Shawano Avenue to North Oneida Street. No detour will be posted for Gray Street. Southbound traffic can use Mather Street to bypass the intersection closure. Northbound traffic should stay on Shawano Avenue.
On Monday, Nov. 8 commuters will also be impacted by the planned closure of the Donald A. Tilleman Bridge (Mason Street over the Fox River) from 8 am to 1 pm.
The bridge is closed for annual fall maintenance.
Drivers will be routed to South Ashland Avenue, Walnut Street, and South Monroe Avenue.
An extra bad week for: Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodger tested positive for COVID-19. He will not start on Sunday, Nov. 7 in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Jordan Love will start on Sunday in Rodger’s place, making his debut National Football League start on Sunday.
Coach Matt LaFleur would not confirm or comment on Rodger’s vaccination status at a media briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 3. As of print publication, LaFleur said the team is still looking for backup quarterbacks.
Green Bay Booyah drop the soup, pick up guitars
Northwoods League baseball team Green Bay Booyah has renamed the team the “Green Bay Rockers.”
The name change was announced by Boomerang Management, who own and operate the live music venue Epic Event Center, Capital Credit Union Park and the baseball team. Boomerang owner and President and CEO of Skogen’s Festival Foods Mark Skogen said the name change makes sense as both venues provide mounds of entertainment and synergy.
“We are providing live entertainment down the street and hoping to bring the same level of excitement to the stadium for our community to enjoy,” Skogen said in a statement.
Rockers General Manager John Fanta said fans will experience a variety of live music from different genres at upcoming games.
“The new name allows us to exude a new energy and attitude to entertain the crowd at each and every game,” Fanta said.
The team plans to unveil a new team mascot and player uniform at the beginning of 2022.
Green Bay Packers donate to local arts programs
The Green Bay Packers Foundation announced its 2021 grant recipients. This year’s round of funding was focused on areas of arts, culture, athletics and education.
The foundation donated $1 million in annual grants to 274 nonprofit organizations throughout Wisconsin. This year the foundation donated to 34 Brown County organizations, totaling $136,000.
“We’re proud to award $1 million through our annual Packers Foundation grants this year, after many nonprofits particularly focused on arts, culture, athletics and education experienced continued fallout from the pandemic,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. “So many of these organizations need additional support as they work to recover and serve those in their communities, and we are honored to be a part of their critical efforts.”
The city of Green Bay’s Public Arts Commission was awarded $4,000 for its rotating art program. The rotating arts program consists of six concrete footings throughout the city. These platforms are available for sculptures and other temporary art installments throughout the community.
Other arts and culture nonprofits that received funds from the foundation include the Art Garage, Neville Public Museum, Green Bay Community Theater, Evergreen Productions Inc., Baird Creek Preservation Foundation Inc., Green Bay Action Sports Organization, Green Bay Botanical Garden, Inc., Howe Community Resource Center, National Railroad Museum, The Children’s Museum of Green Bay, The Weidner Center and the YWCA of Greater Green Bay.
A full list of organizations and more details about the Green Bay Packers Foundation can be found at www.packers.com.
John McCracken is the Editor of Green Bay City Pages. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @jmcjmc451