Here’s how we can shake Milwaukee out of its fog

A fellow Rotarian called to say he had read my first Milwaukee Biz Blog (Act I). He wanted to know, "What is the action to follow-up on? What do you recommend, Ted?”

Well, here’s the script for "Act II – The 10 Scenes To Be Seen!"

1. Consider a Metro Government for our Great Milwaukee area, like Indianapolis, Louisville, Austin, etc. etc. Sheldon Lubar was right on about this.
2. Develop a real Milwaukee Public Schools career planning system for students, parents and teachers. Focus on real skills, real jobs, real income, etc., with PBS 10-36 Public TV.
3. Develop an economic asset plan for the lakefront – The port, the harbor, the rivers. Develop a metro plan like Buffalo, N.Y.; Racine; Sheboygan; Moline, Ill., etc.
4. Rebuild our economic tax base –  Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Population growth. Skills! Skills! Skills! Use Bradley Tech and the Milwaukee Area Technical College.
5. Leverage assets like the Medical College Campus, the insurance industry, the printing industry, manufacturing and waer.
6. Develop an honest, logical,  practical, logistical transportation plan. Roads, buses (multiple sizes), epressways, rail (for people and products), water, airport and parking.
7. Develop a triangle/pyramid plan for Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison, linking education, environment, entertainment and transportation assets.
8. Develop State Fair Park in West Allis. Maximize the space, the buildings, the Circus Parade, the Clown Hall of Fame and the Exposition Center.
9. Redevelop Grand Avenue for a "Grander" Avenue, a mall with a reopened Grand Theater, a Kohl’s store and a shopping center for residents, visitors and conventioneers.
10. Create arts, culture and sports entertainment districts. Leverage assets, space, buildings, staff, marketing and fund development. Utilize Miller Park year-round!

Act II Ends.

Act III pending – Spell it out:

M any cultures, customs, cuisine!
I nspired – interesting sites & sounds
L ake Michigan – World’s fresh water and fish!
W ater – Three rivers, drink and play.
A ttractions! Market them!
U rban Living at its best!
K knowledge, schools, skills, college.
E xcitement! Get it! Make it happen!
E ffort! Work at it together! (Business, government, public/private sectors.)

W inter – snow and water.
I ndustry – investment.
S ausage!
C heese!
O pportunities!
N ite Life – North Life!
S ports – Spectator and participatory!
I nvestment $
N orth, but still in Midwest – Mid America!

The end or the beginning? 1846-2008-2058? Let’s act like we want to leave a Great Milwaukee/Great Lake legacy for our children and grandchildren to enjoy Grand Avenue and all the great  aspects of Milwaukee, southeastern Wisconsin and Wisconsin.

Ted Hutton is community activist and a retired executive of Allen-Bradley Co. and Rockwell Automation Inc. in Milwaukee.