Article: MMSD works with all communities; Editorial's conclusions not based on all facts The Oct. 26 editorial regarding the seccession of Brookfield and Elm Grove from MMSD had statements that need more clarification. It is true that Brookfield and Elm Grove did undertake a study to determine if the entire region would benefit from our communities directing our wastewater to the Brookfield Wastewater Treatment Facility. The report and subsequent MMSD information did reveal that it was very cost-effective to do so. On the night our study was presented, MMSD announced a complete change in plans that would save the entire service area $130 million. As of this date, no information has been produced by MMSD to substantiate this new option. Therefore, how can the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel make such final judgments until all the data are available for review? The editorial did not discuss that the effluent discharged from the Brookfield Wastewater Treatment Facility would have a higher water quality than Lake Michigan, which many people use as their source of drinking water. It also did not discuss the fact that by having Brookfield and Elm Grove vacate capacity in the MMSD system, less raw sewage from the Milwaukee combined sewers would overflow into Lake Michigan every six to seven months. The Journal Sentinel should wait until all the facts and economic benefits are known before it draws conclusions that have no sound basis. James W. Nortman Village president Elm Grove; Suburbs don't deserve greater representation Thank you for urging restraint in Brookfield and Elm Grove's proposed secession from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. However, I was disappointed to see the Journal Sentinel take a position in opposition to the one-person-one-vote principle. The makeup of the MMSD board is determined by the population of Milwaukee County. Seven commissioners represent Milwaukee; four represent the suburbs. The apportionment is reviewed with every U.S. Census to see if the makeup of the board needs to be revised to reflect changes in the population. There is a fair way to achieve more suburban representation on the board. The communities outside of Milwaukee County that are served by the sewerage district could simply join the district. Their representation on the board would be proportional to their population. I have long believed that if communities such as Elm Grove and Brookfield would join the district, cooperation would be greatly enhanced. So far, they have not done so. Equal representation is fundamental to democracy. The MMSD board operates on that principle. Suburban residents do not deserve more representation that anyone else. Rep. Shirley Krug Former MMSD Commissioner Milwaukee

Article from:

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)

Article date:

November 3, 1997

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