Quote, unquote

“When the business leaders and citizens of this city looked to Mayor Barrett for leadership, he offered none. It’s disappointing that when the City of Milwaukee had the opportunity to move into the 21st century, this mayor is driving a Studebaker stuck in the 1950s.”

-- Ald. Willie Hines, Milwaukee Common Council president, on Barrett's veto of the Milwaukee Connector transit system.

Barrett said there was no certainty where a $57 million local share of the project would come from, or what would happen if federal money fell short of the expected $243 million. "To move ahead with a $300 million alternative, without details on financing, would be fiscally irresponsible," Barrett said.

Gretchen Schuldt finds that more than a little ironic, given how decisions are being made about building freeways.