In 2001, OnMilwaukee.com helped coordinate and promote a contest to select a new flag for our fine city.
Ultimately even though five finalists were selected from more than one hundred submissions, the Common Council decided not to move ahead with a new banner.
Have you seen Milwaukee's flag? It was designed in 1955 and is a collage of historical and then-current city symbols and buildings: stuff like the Milwaukee Arena, County Stadium and images of manufacturing, shipping and brewing industries.
Obviously, Milwaukee has changed a lot since 1955. But, do we need a new flag? And if so, how do we best represent Milwaukee's new image, people, spirit and buildings?
A new movement, MKE Flag, is flying online and seeks your input, support and even offers its new take on what our flag should look like.
I’m not sure this is the city’s most burning issue, but it’s fun to discuss. The current flag is old school, to say the least. It’s actually kind of charming. But, it’s pretty ugly. This new design is bold and colorful, but may not scream Milwaukee.
Via Facebook, the designers explained it this way, "Unlike the current flag, we have chosen not to limit our city to icons. The triangular shapes represent movement and growth, which is a constant for the city. The stripes give reference to water as well as agriculture, something that relates us to our state as well. As we continue to grow and innovate, we come together as a community, represented by the intersecting point in the flag."
One idea? Use the old MECCA floor design and call it a new flag day. Your thoughts? Do we need or even want a new Milwaukee flag?
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
