Is it me or are the people running the public works division of this city becoming dumber by the day?  As of today, we are still in the running to have the most snowfall ever in Milwaukee.  I am fully aware that we have exhausted our budget due to excessive plowing, salting, sanding and snow removal costs this winter.  I am also fully aware that it is no ones "fault"(except maybe ex-mayor John Norquist for cutting our budget in half for road repairs) that this winter has left the streets of Milwaukee looking more like the streets of Bagdad.  But that does not absolve the current administration from formulating and implementing a plan to repair our streets.....and in a hurry. 

In the last ten years, Milwaukee has absolutely embarrassed itself when given the national spotlight.  Anyone remember the MLB All-Star game at Miller Park?  For those of you who don't; it was the worst thing that could have happened to this city.  Not only did every national broadcaster and many players rip our city for lack of proper infrastructure to support such and event but IT ENDED IN A TIE!!!!  Thanks a lot Bud Selig.  As if that wasn't enough, we had the Harley Davidson 100th celebration.  Milwaukee was filled with visitors from around the world, it was a perfect time to show everyone how great of a city we have.  What did the brain-trust of Harley Davidson decide to do?  They decided to have Elton John headline a leather-clad, tattoo infested, motor oil drinking biker event.  That's about the same as having Pee-Wee Herman give Brett Favre and the Packers a pep talk before a big game.  So, as you can see, Milwaukee hasn't exactly brought it's best game when given the opportunity.

Enter 2008, The Harley Davidson 105th celebration; time for this city to pull out all the stops, uncork the expensive champagne, and show the world what we're made of.  This year's Harley Davidson brain-trust has certainly learned from the mistakes of the past.  They have exchanged Elton John for Bruce Springsteen(I wonder if I can exchange my ticket from the 2003 Elton John show for a Springsteen ticket?)  They are close to completion of the Harley Davidson Museum.  Miller Park is holding a daylong outdoor music event sponsored by H.O.G.(Harley Owners Group)  What could possibly derail this great event that will bring millions of dollars into the local economy?

How about having a city filled with roads that aren't even safe for cars to drive on, much less motorcycles. I have been a biker and eastsider for the last eight years.  I understand the roads cannot be and never are perfect.  But there is a huge difference between perfect and just plain safe.  As I said earlier, it really is no ones fault concerning the weather, but the administration of this fine city needs to step up to plate and at least take a swing at the problem.  I have witnessed two disturbing things the last 24 hours.  First, the city was paying for a front end loader to move snow around Brady Street.  Now, I may be a total idiot but doesn't 50 degree weather melt snow?  Couldn't that guy be patching streets instead of moving melting water 6 feet to the left?  Second, I have seen crews of 4-6 people trimming trees on Humboldt Ave.  Again, I may be a total idiot, but I'm not sure making the trees "pretty" should be put ahead of making our roads safe to travel on.  These potholes are 6-8 inches deep in some areas and if they aren't taken care of, I guarantee they will cause hundreds, if not thousands, of biker related injuries.

My plan of action is simple.  Cut in other areas to make up for lack of funds available for road repairs.  First, cut the grass half as much as normal.  Use the grass cutting crews to help patch streets.  Are you going to tell a biker who can't ever walk again that the length of the grass in the median of Capitol Drive was more important than his safety?  Second, tap into the huge amount of money the city tow lot made this winter to hire some outside contractors to help in patching the roads.  Don't try and tell me they didn't make an excessive amount of money with all the snow emergencies this winter.  Third, hold a "Help Rebuild our City Streets" concert on Memorial Day Weekend.  Local bands with play for a reasonable cost and all profits can be diverted to fixing streets.  This will also leave 6 weeks to use that money to repair as many streets as possible.

Do I have all the answers?  No, but my message is simple......DO SOMETHING AND DO IT NOW!!!!!!  We have 4 1/2 months to repair our city and the clock is ticking.