Wisconsin Mourns loss of George Petak, the Senator Who Saved the Brewers

Milwaukee, WI – George Petak, the former Wisconsin state senator whose pivotal vote secured public funding for Miller Park, died Tuesday ⁤in Colorado after a long illness. He was 75. Petak’s ⁣son, Rev. Brian ⁢Petak, announced his ⁣father’s passing on Facebook, ⁢noting the⁢ poignant timing of ⁤his death on the 53rd anniversary of his conversion⁣ to Christianity.

Petak’s legacy is inextricably linked to the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1995, ⁤facing intense pressure and political opposition, Petak ⁤cast the ⁣deciding vote to approve ⁢funding for ‍the⁤ construction of Miller park, a move that ultimately kept the team in Milwaukee.⁣ while the​ decision cost him his Senate seat in the following election, it cemented his place in Wisconsin sports history.

“I think God enjoys sweet timing like this – ⁢and we⁤ all now believe ⁢dad wanted this timing as well,” Brian Petak wrote on ‌Facebook. “He has shared his ⁤testimony ‌of coming to faith in Christ on Christmas Eve‌ 1971 countless‍ times.”

News of Petak’s passing sparked an outpouring of tributes⁢ from across Wisconsin and‍ beyond. Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig,⁢ who played a⁣ key role in securing the Brewers’ future in Milwaukee, hailed petak as a “true Milwaukee and Wisconsin hero.”

“He was willing to pay⁢ a tough price, but he was willing to do so,” Selig said in a statement. “So in the coming years when you enter american family Field and think of the Brewers, remember George played a ⁤vital and very vital part of‌ keeping the Brewers in Wisconsin.”

Governor Tony Evers also praised Petak’s unwavering commitment to public ⁣service. “He truly had a servant’s heart, always leading ⁢with empathy and integrity to give back and do more for others,” Evers said in a statement.Petak’s legacy extends beyond baseball. He was remembered as a man of deep faith, unwavering courage, and principled leadership.His decision to prioritize the needs of his community over⁤ his own political future serves as a testament to‌ his character and commitment to the ⁣people of Wisconsin.

The Legacy ​of a Controversial⁣ Vote:⁤ How One Man Helped ⁣Bring miller park to Milwaukee

In 1995,Wisconsin State Senator George Petak faced a career-defining decision.Should he vote for a controversial sales tax to fund a new stadium for the Milwaukee Brewers,⁤ or risk alienating his constituents? His choice, a pivotal “yes” vote, would forever alter the​ landscape of Milwaukee sports and cement Petak’s place⁢ in Wisconsin history.

Petak’s vote, cast after 16 hours of deliberation, broke a Senate deadlock and paved the way for ‌the‌ construction of Miller Park, now known as American Family Field. The stadium, a modern ​marvel with ⁤its iconic retractable roof, replaced the aging County Stadium, which was deemed financially unsustainable.

The decision was ⁤not ‌without its ⁣critics. The proposed 0.1% sales tax for Milwaukee and surrounding counties, projected to raise $600 million,⁣ sparked‍ heated debate. While the Brewers pledged‍ to contribute to the project and⁢ sign a⁤ long-term lease, taxpayers would ultimately shoulder a significant portion of the $180 million ⁣cost.

Petak, who had previously won two elections, including an upset victory against senate Majority Leader Joseph Strohl ⁤in 1990, faced a backlash from constituents who opposed the tax.”I did what I thought was in‌ the best interests of the state and have been viewed as⁣ both ‍a traitor and hero, all⁤ in⁤ the​ same ​breath, actually,” ‍Petak said in a​ 2020 interview. “I’m as convinced as I ever have ‍been that losing‍ major league baseball would ⁤be a devastating blow to⁢ the economy⁣ and the⁢ quality of life that a major ⁣league franchise brings⁢ to southeast ‌Wisconsin.”

The political fallout was swift. In June 1996, Petak ⁤lost his Senate seat in a recall election, a testament to the ‌intensity of public sentiment⁢ surrounding the stadium‍ deal.Despite the personal cost, Petak remained steadfast in his belief that the stadium was a necessary investment in Milwaukee’s future. He was known for his strong ⁤convictions and unwavering commitment to his faith, qualities that defined his political career.

Miller Park, now American Family Field, stands as a lasting monument to Petak’s controversial decision. It has become‍ a beloved landmark, hosting countless‍ memorable moments for Brewers fans and serving as a catalyst for economic development in the city.While Petak’s legacy remains complex, his role in bringing Major League Baseball to a new era in Milwaukee is undeniable.

Wisconsin Lawmaker Who Saved the Brewers, George Petak, Dies at 79

Milwaukee, WI – George Petak, the former Wisconsin state senator whose pivotal⁢ vote secured funding for Miller⁢ Park and kept the​ Milwaukee Brewers in the city, has died at ⁢the age of 79. Petak passed away peacefully‍ in ‌Colorado, where he had moved with ‍his wife, Nancy, in 2020.

Petak, a republican from Racine, served in the Wisconsin State Senate from​ 1991 to 2003. He was a key figure in the contentious debate over funding for Miller Park, the Brewers’ home stadium.His ​decisive vote in 1996 helped ‌secure the financing ⁣plan, ensuring the team remained in Milwaukee.

“Had it ⁤not been for Petak, the Brewers wouldn’t still be in milwaukee,” said Craig Peterson,⁤ president and CEO of Zigman, Joseph & Associates, one of Wisconsin’s oldest government affairs firms. “George Petak and the ‍Milwaukee Brewers⁢ will always be entwined for the rest of history.”

Petak’s commitment to public service was widely praised.

“He was⁤ one ⁣of the ⁣most principled and dedicated public servants I had ‍the chance to work with in over 41 years in Madison,” said Tim Sheehy, recently retired president of the Metropolitan milwaukee Association of ⁢Commerce. “He was a wonderful person. I know that may sound trite, but it’s true,” Sheehy​ said.

Born in Warren, Ohio, Petak earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State University. Before⁢ entering politics, he worked as‌ a quality control manager at Ametek Lamb Electric’s Racine plant.

Petak’s son, Brian, shared a ​heartfelt ⁣tribute ‍on Facebook, stating, “My Dad certainly fought the good fight and finished his race well. What a legacy he has left for all of us. A man of god ⁤with uncompromising integrity, a heart to serve, and a godly influence on ⁣so many.”

Petak is survived​ by his wife, Nancy, and their three children: Brian, Todd,‍ and Meigan. Funeral arrangements are pending, but the ⁣family hopes to livestream the‍ service from Colorado. More information will ‌be available in a forthcoming obituary‌ from the funeral home.

Remembering George Petak: the senator ⁢Who ‍Saved the Brewers

Milwaukee, WI – Wisconsin mourns the loss of‍ George Petak, the former state senator ⁤whose pivotal vote secured public funding ​for Miller‍ Park, ‍now​ known as American Family Field. Petak, ⁢75, passed away Tuesday in ​Colorado after a long illness. His son,‌ Rev. ⁣Brian Petak, shared the news on Facebook, noting the ⁣poignant⁤ timing of his passing⁢ coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of his⁣ conversion‌ to Christianity.

Petak’s legacy is inextricably linked to the‍ Milwaukee⁤ Brewers. In 1995, facing intense pressure and political opposition, he cast the deciding vote to approve⁢ funding for the ⁢construction of⁤ Miller Park. This move​ ultimately ‍kept the team in Milwaukee, ​while‌ concurrently costing him his senate seat in the subsequent election. Nonetheless, Petak‌ cemented his place in Wisconsin sports history.

“I think God enjoys ⁣sweet timing⁣ like this –⁣ and we all ⁤now⁢ believe dad wanted this⁣ timing as well,” Brian petak wrote on Facebook. “He has shared his testimony of coming​ to faith ⁣in Christ on⁤ Christmas Eve 1971 countless⁤ times.”

A⁣ Controversial ⁢Vote with Lasting Impact

Petak’s 1995 vote on Miller Park funding ‌was a career-defining moment. The proposed 0.1% sales tax for Milwaukee and surrounding‌ counties, projected to raise $600 million, sparked heated debate. While the Brewers pledged to contribute and sign a long-term lease, taxpayers would bear a⁢ significant portion of⁤ the $180⁤ million cost.

After 16 hours of ⁣deliberation, Petak’s ⁣”yes”​ vote broke a​ Senate⁣ deadlock, paving⁤ the ⁢way ​for the construction of⁢ the state-of-the-art stadium.⁤ The stadium, with its iconic retractable‍ roof, replaced ⁣the aging County Stadium, which was deemed financially⁣ unsustainable.

The decision wasn’t without its critics. Petak faced backlash from constituents who opposed the tax increase. Despite ‌the⁤ political⁤ fallout,Petak stood ‍by his conviction that keeping the Brewers in⁢ Milwaukee was‌ in ‌the best interest of the community.

Remembering a Man of Faith and Courage

News of Petak’s ⁣passing sparked ⁣an outpouring ​of tributes from ‌across Wisconsin and beyond. Former Major League Baseball Commissioner⁢ Bud Selig, who ‌played a key​ role‍ in securing the ⁤Brewers’ future in Milwaukee, hailed Petak as “a true Milwaukee and Wisconsin hero.”

“He‍ was willing to pay a tough price,” Selig ⁣said, “but he was‌ willing to​ do so.

Governor Tony Evers also ‌praised ⁤Petak’s​ unwavering commitment to public service, calling him a man who “truly had a servant’s heart, always leading with empathy and ‌integrity to give ⁢back and do more for others.”

Petak was remembered as a man of deep faith,​ unwavering courage, and principled leadership. His decision to prioritize ​the needs of his community over his own political future serves as a testament to his character and commitment to⁢ the people of Wisconsin.