Latest news with #SheldonWasserman
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From eyesore to icon, Milwaukee says farewell to abandoned boat, ‘Deep Thought'
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) – After spending nearly seven months abandoned along Milwaukee's lakefront, the boat known as 'Deep Thought' was finally removed. On Tuesday, May 6th, the long-awaited operation led to a full day of street closures, announced by Milwaukee County. Hundreds of people gathered at Bradford Beach yesterday to witness the long-awaited removal of the 75,000-pound boat. 'Get ready to clown around:' Insane Clown Posse coming to Green Bay 'Deep Thought' had been stranded between McKinley and Broadford beaches since October 13th, 2024, after its owners ran out of fuel, causing the boat so wash ashore. Over the months, the boat became a quirky local attraction, drawing curious visitors, serving as a backdrop to countless photos, featured in an animated music video, and even a song have been written about the local landmark. The National Bobble Head Hall of Fame even made a bobble boat. Earlier attempts to remove the boat didn't work, at one point, even a barge brought in to help got stuck. But on Tuesday, Milwaukee-based All City Towing finally got the job done using three cranes set up on the beach. District 3 County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman emphasized the importance of finally resolving the issue. He said it was a serious safety and environmental concern as the public starting climbing the boat, risking injury. 'Huge relief': Drivers and businesses thrilled Oneida St. is back open following NFL Draft The removal cost is estimated at $50,000, with Milwaukee County covering the initial expense. Crews faced major challenges during the extraction, calling it a difficult and complex operation. But saying goodbye wasn't easy for some, as many residents felt the boat had become a quirky piece of Milwaukee's shoreline history. According to County Executive David Crowley, there's even talk of possibly salvaging parts of the vessel and selling them, giving the boat one final chapter before it fades into memory. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee abandoned boat: Who's paying to remove Deep Thought?
The Brief The boat abandoned at Milwaukee's lakefront was pulled onto land Tuesday. Tuesday's work alone was estimated to cost $50,000. Taxpayers are on the hook, at least for now – but that's not the end of the story. MILWAUKEE - Deep Thought, the boat that's been abandoned at Milwaukee's lakefront since October, was pulled onto land Tuesday afternoon. Taxpayers on the hook By the numbers Freeing the sand-shackled boat was not cheap. Milwaukee County leaders originally estimated Tuesday's work alone could be about $50,000. Who's paying? The short answer: taxpayers. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "I figured if I'm paying for it, through my taxpayer dollars, at least I get to sit and enjoy it," said Glenn Borden, a Milwaukee resident who watched Tuesday's removal effort at the lakefront. "Somebody got that stuck here. It's kind of on them to take care of that. At the same time, I get it, accidents happen." For now, Milwaukee County is paying to remove Deep Thought. "We don't want to get stuck with a $50,000 bill. I don't think the Milwaukee County taxpayers should be paying for this," said County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman, chair of the board's parks committee. Wasserman told FOX6 News the county may go after the boat's earlier owner – not the couple who bought the boat before it ran out of gas and got stuck. The county supervisor said it's not clear whether the boat's sale was even legal. "I chatted with (the owners)," Dan Steininger told FOX6 last week. "These are two people who had a dream, spent their life savings to do it. Flat broke, had nowhere to go, distraught. I said, 'We don't treat people mean in Wisconsin – you are our guests.'" Could donations help? What they're saying Steininger, the grandson of former Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan and current president of the Hoan Foundation, stepped in with a $10,000 donation to help pay for removal efforts. Back in April, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced a different, anonymous donor. "You'll have to ask the anonymous donor how much money they're talking about. My job was just to connect the dots," he said. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The mayor said all he did was link the anonymous donor with Jerry Guyer of Pirates Cove Diving – the man who tried, tried and tried but was unable to pull the boat from the water. Guyer said he sunk $27,000 into failed attempts to remove Deep Thought; he also told FOX6 he has not heard from the anonymous donor. "I don't know what happened in that relationship. Again, my job was just to connect the dots, and that's what I did," said Johnson. On Tuesday, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he believes the anonymous donation was in the ballpark of $20,000 to $25,000. He also floated the possibility of selling pieces of the boat to help cover removal costs. The U.S. Coast Guard said it was not their responsibility to remove the boat because it was not blocking waterways and was not a hazard to navigation. The USCG did investigate for possible pollution in October and found it was all clear. The Source Information in this report is from FOX6 News interviews and prior coverage of efforts to remove the boat.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milwaukee's abandoned boat; vessel's removal set for May 6
The Brief The abandoned boat Deep Thought is expected to removed from Milwaukee's lakefront on Tuesday, May 6. The boat has been on Milwaukee's shore south of Bradford Beach since October 2024. Milwaukee County plans to spend at least $50,000 to remove the abandoned vessel from Lake Michigan. MILWAUKEE - Roughly six months ago, a luxury boat was abandoned on Milwaukee's lakefront after the owners ran out of gas. During those last few months, the boat has become a landmark on the lakefront, tagged by multiple people, and for some, a blight on the beauty of the lakefront. Now, it appears the abandoned boat, known as "Deep Thought," is finally going to be removed from the water between Bradford and McKinley beaches. What we know According to Milwaukee County Parks, the day to remove Deep Thought is set for Tuesday, May 6. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman said between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Lincoln Memorial Drive will be closed in both directions between Lafayette Hill Road and E. Tower Road. What they're saying "I can't emphasize enough how big the processes will be to get this boat out because it is really stuck. It's 3 1/2 feet stuck down in the sand," Wasserman said. "They're gonna be bringing three big trucks up to lift the boat up off above the rocks and pulled away so there's a very big operation." All of the work does not come cheap. "It's gonna be expensive. We're expecting to pay the cost upfront. It's at least $50,000," Wasserman said. Dig deeper Starting Monday night, May 5, there will be no parking allowed along Lincoln Memorial Drive from Lafayette Hill Road to E. Water Tower Road. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News For commuters who frequent Lincoln Memorial Drive, including thousands of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students, they will have to find an alternate route on Tuesday. The Source The information in this post was provided by a Milwaukee County supervisor and previous FOX6 News coverage.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee's abandoned boat; county turns to "Plan B" to remove vessel
The Brief Milwaukee County may be the next entity to try and remove Deep Thought from Milwaukee's lakefront. The boat was abandoned in October 2024. While there have been salvage efforts to remove the vessel, none have been successful. MILWAUKEE - That abandoned boat on Milwaukee's lakefront may not be there much longer. A Milwaukee County supervisor says the county has a "Plan B" to remove the vessel. What we know The boat "Deep Thought" has been stuck on the shore of Milwaukee since October. Since then, it has become the talk of town and tagged over and over again with graffiti. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Now, the boat even has some company – what's left of a pontoon barge that was being used to remove the boat from the shore. It has been a week since Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced someone anonymously donated the money needed to get the boat off the shore. Still, the vessel remains. What they're saying "I see people crawling all over it, taking pictures. Take pictures on it, kind of crazy. I think it's a bit of a danger for some of the public to be doing that much," said Denise Fortner, a Milwaukee resident. "Heard about the second boat and how it got stuck as well. I thought, I have to come and check it out," said Janet Dupree. What's next On Wednesday, April 30, FOX6 News went in search of answers – to find out when Deep Thought and its new companion would be removed from Lake Michigan. "The county is going to Plan B and Plan B is we have a company that's going to come out here and they're going to go from the land to get this boat out," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Wasserman told FOX6 News Plan B could be in place as soon as next Tuesday, if weather permits. But it is going to be costly. "We have a contractor, for at least $50,000, from this new vendor. He says he can get it out," Wasserman said. The Source The information for this post was assembled by FOX6 News with help from Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Abandoned boat, Milwaukee County to remove 'Deep Thought' soon
The Brief A boat was abandoned along Milwaukee's lakefront more than six months ago. Milwaukee County has now been deemed responsible for the boat's removal. The county plans to act fast and intends to be paid back for the effort. MILWAUKEE - An abandoned boat that washed ashore more than six months ago has almost become an unofficial Milwaukee landmark, but it may not be around much longer. The backstory There was a lot of confusion surrounding which municipality or agency was responsible for the boat, "Deep Thought," after it washed ashore just south of Bradford Beach in October. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The owners, from Mississippi, skipped town after the boat ran out of gas and got stuck in the sand. Efforts to dislodge the boat have been ongoing, with thousands of dollars already spent. What's next The boat's removal was ultimately determined to be Milwaukee County's responsibility. Now, the county's goal is to have it removed as soon as next week – and to be paid back for its removal. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "I walk down the street, my neighbors are asking me, 'What are we going to do with the boat?'" said Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman, who chairs the board's parks and culture committee. "It's really become a number one news item that most people are concerned about." Wasserman said it's time for the abandoned boat to go. It has gotten a lot of attention and even a few makeovers since it washed ashore in October. "It's becoming a real danger for everybody involved," he said. The county expects to have more information on who will remove the boat on Monday. Dig deeper The boat's previous owners live in Michigan and sold it in Manitowoc. Wasserman said the county's attorneys discovered the new owners skipped town and never actually registered the boat in their names, so they might be off the hook. "This is like a gray area, so the old owners may be on the line for paying for this. Our lawyers are looking at this," he said. Ultimately, though, Wasserman said the cost will not fall on taxpayers. "To come up with $100,000 on a deferred basis, to get rid of a boat that was not our responsibility in the first place, is just not fair," he said. "We are going to go after whoever is on the line for that, has to pay." The Source FOX6 News interviewed Wasserman and referenced prior coverage of the abandoned boat for information in this report.
