As for why the county was handed off so many responsibilities, such as the zoo, park system, freeways, and the stadium had less to do with the competance of the county, but that it functioned as a de-facto metropolitan government. This was the logical course at that point in history, but two generations later the same rationale would dictate moving responsibilites from the county to a defacto or dejure metropolitan entity.

Also, Frank Zeidler believed in an anti-urban policy to deconcentrate the metro in response to the nuclear threat of the 1950′s. Since the city destroying bombs of today were yet to be invented, the idea was to spread the city out, so any strike would merely decimate and not obliterate a city.

Now, I’m not necessarily judging him, but you have to understand the motivations and ideas that were in mind. Mayor Zeidler did some great things for this city, but we can’t look to him for urban policy.

That said, why would Norquist put up a proposal for a new ballpark Downtown, years before the Brewers are talking about moving? That’s political suicide if I ever heard it. The idea for a Downtown stadium was never fully considered for a lot of reasons and I would place my money on many people’s sheer resistance to change.

His statement that St. Louis would not be in the running to host an all-star game anytime soon unless a new stadium was built is one of many examples of his poor leadership. George Bush was next in line to become commissioner BIT Bud made up his own rules and ignored Bart G’s dying wishes. Therefore all teams will have new stadiums payed by hard working tax payers, ballgames ending in a tie, globalization of America’s pastime, steroids, and tainted records! Oh yea – and baseball minded presidents!

I have never heard anyone complaining about how the stadium should have been downtown as strangers and friends alike chug down beers and brats while playing catch in the parking lot getting amped up for the Brew Crew and from being south of the border in IL and bringing friends that stadium is raved about by cubs/whitesox fans alike who wish their stadiums were even close to Miller Park! What an atmosphere and the stadium turned out quite well i must say!

The roof serves an incredibly useful purpose given our climate – ask Cleveland. The roof also makes the stadium a year round venue.

Tailgating is also overlooked. It was a major consideration in determining the current location. The idea of tailgating in a structure is, frankly, foolish. The glaring exposure to liability, alone, is cost prohibitive.

Finally, the author ignores the fact that the Menomonee Valley is being redeveloped and that there are discussions currently going on to create attractions to compliment Miller Park. I have it from at least one reliable source that the Brewers are researching new methods to generate revenue once the stadium is paid off.

So next time a side by side comparison between cities is made, do not just cite the “City X Tour Guide.” Some balanced reporting would be appreciated.