From: Davis Sr., Joe Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 2:39 PM To: CC_ALL Subject: Fwd: Dear Alderman Davis This is why we do what we do! Thanks for the confirmation, Jim. Begin forwarded message: From: James Smyczek Date: January 8, 2015 at 1:51:14 PM CST To: jldavis@milwaukee.gov Subject: Dear Alderman Davis In regards to the proposed streetcar: I want to say thank you for your efforts in stopping this foolish project. You are demonstrating real character in rising above the politics and doing what truly is right for Milwaukee residents, present and future. If you were to randomly select 50, or 100 people walking down the street and ask them to list 5 things that would make Milwaukee a better and safer community to live in, that would provide better paying jobs, tackle black unemployment, make it a more attractive place to live for potential residents seeking jobs? In other words, the things the mayor and city government should be concerned with, right? What would people say? I could probably come up with a few answers that most would agree on, as well as a few things that might never get mentioned: Such as bubblers on every street corner, or a "futuristic looking" train looping through downtown Milwaukee. Let's be real. The streetcars popping up across the country are merely vanity projects dreamt up by a very rich and powerful class of condo-dwelling white people that spend most of their free time sitting in coffee shops, who simply believe that it is much more fashionable, and even more empowering, to take a train than a bus, without ever thinking about the real costs. In their eyes, it is much more serene to see a cool looking train quietly hum by while sitting outside their corner coffee shop sipping on a latte than a loud city bus. At least that is my conclusion after years of discussions (arguments) with supporters. If the "need to modernize Milwaukee" is the best reason they can come up with to build this thing, I think we need to re-examine the definition of the word "modernize." Because people always seem to leave out very large parts of the city that they like to pretend don't exist. Mayor Barrett is clearly out of touch with the average Milwaukeean if he believes this train represents any real change, or for that matter serves any real need. If we are willing to throw hundreds of millions of dollars around; how about access to capital for business owners in the central city for more development, repairing store fronts, tax incentives for hiring and training? How about securing funds for more youth groups, sports leagues that encourage camaraderie, and teamwork, a better sense of community? How about improvements to our current transit system? The ideas are infinite; I am sure you have plenty. You know, the kinds of things there is never any money for. If this truly is about modernization, the best thing we can do to help modernize Milwaukee is to modernize EVERY PART of Milwaukee. Not just areas approved by the 1%, who would never in a million years take a drive down North Avenue. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, James R. Smyczek