Just say no to Foxconn transit

Rumors abound in regards to the agreement to have Foxconn build a new, state of the art production facility in Racine County. The most disturbing one for me is the expansion of the Milwaukee County Transit System to include route(s) to the plant. Once again, it is a solution looking for a problem. However, the saddest part is the fact that the rumor had to start in the first place.

It is hard to argue that these jobs and the economic boost wouldn't be a huge shot in the arm to Milwaukee County. My question will continue to be, why not Milwaukee County? I know that question is partially rhetorical. We all know the challenges that areas of both the city and county have attracting business. However, what was stopping Foxconn from locating in Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, or Franklin? They all have good freeway access and large areas of undeveloped land that could easily accommodate this facility. They also are much closer to the population base that needs good paying jobs.

I am not trying to discount the need of good jobs in Racine. They are struggling just as much as Milwaukee is. It is just a fact that shear numbers say that Milwaukee County needs this more. So why not Milwaukee County? We may never know the truth, but I strongly suspect that we can point, in part, to the Milwaukee County Board.

With the exception of Supervisors Alexander and Sebring, the Milwaukee County Board is filled with supervisors who would like nothing better than to derail any proposal that was put forth by Governor Walker, even if it means costing thousands of county residents jobs that they need. Instead, they are content giving the jobs to a neighboring county and spending more taxpayer money by adding MCTS routes that, more than likely, will be underused at best.

Milwaukee County deserves better. Milwaukee County deserves leadership that wants bring business in, not ship workers out.

Tim Johnson

Candidate, Milwaukee County Board 17th District