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.