Thursday, November 13, 2008

Milwaukee’s loss can be county’s gain

My column for the West Bend Daily News is online.  It’s called, “Milwaukee’s loss can be county’s gain.”  Basically, I advocate a cross-border rain on Milwaukee’s businesses. 

The government entities in Washington County should also aggressively recruit businesses to move out of Milwaukee County. There are countless lawyers, accountants, insurance agents and other businesses that can service Milwaukee city residents without having to be subject to Milwaukee’s burdensome regulations and mandates. There’s no reason why they can’t operate out of Washington County, service the same customer base, and protect their right to run their businesses as they see fit and protect their revenues. That would bring good jobs and higher wages to Washington County.

   As with anything, the choices of the Milwaukee electorate present an opportunity for those willing to take it. I exhort the elected leaders of Washington County to take positive and aggressive action to recruit Milwaukee businesses to move to Washington County. If Milwaukee County is willing to push them away, there’s no reason why Washington County can’t reach out to welcome businesses into a friendlier fold.

(11) Comments
Posted by Owen at 2246 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. It will take only one snowstorm, and the businesses will come flocking back when they realize that Washington County does the poorest job plowing in the entire state.

    I have come home from northern WI during a snow storm and the only place where there were accidents, and the only place that the roads weren’t cleared was Washington Co.

    No thanks.  My life is worth more than $10.

    Posted by capper on November 13, 2008 at 2311 hrs


  2. I think we have a snow plower who lives on our city side street because it always seems to be plowed before any others.  I think the city does a decent job, must be the county that messes it up.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 14, 2008 at 0007 hrs


  3. That’s funny - I seem to recall a lot (and I mean a lot!) of news about snow removal issues in Milwaukee last year.  If you are talking about Highway 41, the whole stretch from Fond du Lac-Washington-Waukesha counties can be “hairy” while it is snowing.  And that is the key point - while the trucks are plowing during the snow storm, more keeps falling -there aren’t enough trucks (or money) to go over every area every few minutes.

    After that, driver skill becomes necessary.

    And Wendy, you are right - I think the state contracts with each county to plow the state highways.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 14, 2008 at 0744 hrs


  4. I’m sure Washington County can improve their plowing operations way faster than Milwaukee can figure out how to stop overspending.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 14, 2008 at 0958 hrs


  5. Hmmm - let’s see… no wheel tax, about 20% less in sales tax, and nobody telling me I have to give out almost 2 weeks of paid leave every year to all my employees. In exchange I have to possibly put up with 2-3 days of slow snow removal.

    Decisions Decisions….

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 14, 2008 at 1343 hrs


  6. They are welcome in Ozaukee and Waukesha Counties, too.  As I said before, “the last one out of Milwaukee, please turn out the lights.”

    Milwaukee…the new Detroit.

    Posted by Steve on November 14, 2008 at 1800 hrs


  7. I have come home from northern WI during a snow storm and the only place where there were accidents, and the only place that the roads weren’t cleared was Washington Co.

    Really?  The “only” place for accidents?  The “only” place where the roads weren’t clear?

    I call B.S. 

    Capper, your skills in lying seem lacking.  Absolutisms scream hyperbole from a mile away. 

    Just my hunch.  I won’t stoop to your level and make shit up to try to make a point.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 0122 hrs


  8. Washington County does the poorest job plowing in the entire state

    Sorry capper, after last year, I would definitely give Ozaukee that title (and that’s just in the SE corner of the state).

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 0142 hrs


  9. I look forward to welcoming many of those Business to Racine County.  Hopefully all of the new arrivals can help us fight off this ridiculous new Choo-Choo planned so that people can miss both Racine and Kenosha on their way to Chicago..

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 1507 hrs


  10. Owen: You should start a list “Companies leaving City of Milwaukee because of Stupid Laws”

    I know that Xorbix Technologies is already looking for new headquarters!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 16, 2008 at 0739 hrs


  11. Could Manpower have had worse timing?

    Posted by Steve on November 16, 2008 at 0743 hrs


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