A lowlight from yesterday's JSOnline chat with hopefully soon to be outgoing Milwaukee County executive Scott Walker:
Q: Andrew of Milwaukee - Scott, Can you name a single prosperous, booming, world class city in the world that does not have a modern rail transit system? (Don't say Milwaukee, it is not prosperous, booming or world class). Why don't you understand how rail systems are necessary to build dense and prosperous cities?
A: Scott Walker - Andrew, Indianapolis does not have a rail system. Here are some interesting facts from their website: • Indianapolis is 10th in the nation when it comes to the production of fast-growth, super-achieving companies. (Inc. Magazine, August 2006) • Indianapolis has exceeded job growth expectations and outperformed other cities in the wake of the 2001 recession. In addition, the Indianapolis metropolitan area was the only large city tracked by the Chicago Fed's region to experience job growth between 2000 and 2005. (Federal Reserve Bank, June 2006) • Indianapolis is the 8th best logistics metro in the Midwest. (Expansion Management, June 2006) • Indianapolis is the 10th best place for business and careers in a ranking of the 200 largest metropolitan areas. (Forbes, May 2006) • Indianapolis ranks as the #3 least-costly large city to do business. (KMPG Competitive Alternatives Study, 2006) They are, however, discussing a Bus Rapid Transit (like the system we are promoting). BRT is the wave of the future with nearly 20 major urban areas moving in that direction. It has many of the same benefits as rail at a fraction of the cost.
Rather than making the case for why Milwaukee doesn't need a modern rail system, Scott Walker flaks for the Indianapolis tourist board. WIthout even going into whether it makes sense to compare the two cities. Yes, Walker "answers" the question but does so in a way that reinforces ma Brawler's verdict of him: weasel. (Also, Walker has been in office six years and the best he can say is he is "promoting" a system like BRT?)
A modern rail system would spur development in the city -- the major economic engine in the county. And improving the transportation system would makes the region more competitive. And it would facilitate better connection with Chicago. One big difference between the two cities is that Milwaukee benefits -- or stands to benefit -- from being in the orbit of one of the true global cities in the U.S.: the great beast Chicago. Improving Improving our connectitivity to the greater Chicago metropole -- as a modern rail system would -- improves Milwaukee's chances of being relevant in a globalizing economy.
Meanwhile, Capper points out another howler from the chat: Walker's claim that he is neither pro nor anti-transit.
And did Walker seriously not get a question about his recent ad featuring actors standing in for Milwaukee County residents?
The Indy comment caught my eye too and I had a good laugh at that.
Because I know that when I think, prosperous, booming, world class cities, I think Indianapolis Indiana.
Posted by: Daniel Cody | March 26, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Indy is a good model for Milwaukee to emulate. They instituted unigov and got rid of county government.
I would be careful if I was Walker throwing Indy around as a model. The mayor there is the equivalent of the county exec here. Despite these impressive stats, the two term mayor who everyone thought was unbeatable just lost to an underfunded challenger that no one gave a chance to win.
Posted by: Alice Chambers | March 26, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Walker also neglects to mention Indianpolis is thriving dur to a METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT, consolidating municipalities into streamlined efficiecy. And the end of the, the Repubs cling to their turf as much as the Democrats, to the detriment of all taxpayers.
Ref. http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=HqGC1ZlQGgpY3TS0GrL1hp48NB16p2xmPh4VzJBvvhcxJ2JT4zM2!1868036540?docId=5000361213
Just cause Walekr's bad, doesn't make Taylor good
BTW, whatever happened to WIFI Milwaukee. Or will we be behind Bugtussel for that too?
Posted by: Phil Border | March 26, 2008 at 02:50 PM