Mayor Barrett Takes One for the Team

It's not often I find myself saying this, but way to go Mayor Barrett. His veto of the ridiculous Milwaukee Connector has set the tone for politicians who hope to move forward with exorbitant projects before giving any answers as to how they'll be funded.

Council President Willie Hines was not happy with the decision, saying, "When the business leaders and citizens of this city looked to Mayor Barrett for leadership, he offered none. It's disappointing that when the City of Milwaukee had the opportunity to move into the 21st century, this mayor is driving a Studebaker stuck in the 1950s."

Sorry Mr. Hines, but Barrett stayed true to the tax payers.

Aside from the obvious problems the Milwaukee Connector brings, such as longer walks between stops, less flexibility on routes, and taking away already scarce parking, there's the biggest factor of all which remains unanswered: "Specifically, Barrett said backers of the plan had not detailed where the $57 million local share of the project would come from, or what they would do if federal money fell short of the expected $243 million."

I don't know that I agree with Willie Hines that the Milwaukee Connector was the means to move into the 21st century, but one thing's for sure: I am happy that Mayor Barrett is demanding more answers before plans move ahead.