Mayor Barrett needs to start listening to the people

For years my strong opposition to the streetcar has been rooted in the fact that not only is the project a massive boondoggle and an incredible waste of money – but it’s also not supported by the majority of city residents.

And now a new Marquette University poll shows that 66% of Milwaukeeans think the streetcar is a waste of money. There’s no look of surprise on MY face, folks!

I have clearly stated my opposition to the streetcar on numerous occasions over the years, and I even pushed for a public referendum on the project. But Mayor Barrett refused to go along with any referendum and I think we know why (it would have gone down in flames, in my opinion).

So what is the role of government if we don’t listen to the people, Tom?

And sadly, we have so many higher priorities to address in Milwaukee, with our immense public safety problem being at the very top.

From carjackings to homicides, to armed robberies, reckless driving and human trafficking, the public safety issues are numerous and causing fear across the city on a daily basis. From a public health standpoint, the heroin and opioid epidemic is also a much more serious concern and threat that deserves to be placed ahead of a downtown trolley, in my opinion.

And the mayor has NO plan to address these public safety challenges, and only within the past week or two has he directly addressed (during a news conference) our out-of-control reckless driving problem.

If only the mayor would listen on these issues and to the two-thirds of city residents who think the streetcar is a huge waste of money and resources.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.