The Milwaukee Post

October 27 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 15 among 1,200 adult residents in the five-county area. Foxconn findings According to the poll, 54 percent of adult residents in the region believe the Foxconn factory coming to Racine County will substan- tially improve the Milwaukee-area economy, while 37 percent think it will not. The poll was further bro- ken down by Ozaukee- Washington counties, Waukesha County, Racine County, suburban Milwaukee and the city of Milwaukee. In Racine County, 71 per- cent expect the Foxconn fac- tory to improve the area's economy compared to 67 percent in Ozaukee- Washington, 59 percent in Waukesha County, 55 per- cent in suburban Milwaukee County and 40 percent in the city of Milwaukee. Residents in suburban Milwaukee County and the city of Milwaukee were the most skeptical about Foxconn providing econom- ic gains worthy of the state's $3 billion incentives pack- age; 58 percent in the city thought Foxconn wasn't worth it and 51 percent in suburban Milwaukee agreed, compared to 47 per- cent in Racine County, 39 percent in Waukesha County and 34 percent in Ozaukee- Washington coun- ties. The majority of poll respondents in all counties except Racine, where the LCD screen display factory is headed, said their families will not be directly impacted by the Foxconn plant, including 61 percent in Waukesha County. Waukesha County Supervisor Larry Nelson, who attended Tuesday's con- ference, said he's supportive of Foxconn because of the "ripple effect" it's expected to have on surrounding counties like Waukesha. He said educational institu- tions and smaller manufac- turers in the region will see considerable growth once Foxconn establishes itself in southeastern Wisconsin. Still, Nelson said he's heard legitimate concerns about the cost of Foxconn to taxpayers and of environ- mental concerns. Regional views on communities, economics The poll found there are substantial differences in views between wealthy sub- urban counties like Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha compared to the poorer communities in the Milwaukee area. In Ozaukee and Washington counties, 67 per- cent say they are living com- fortably, while 57 in Milwaukee County and 53 in Racine County reported the same. In the city of Milwaukee, only 37 percent said they are living comfort- ably. A question about finan- cial struggles drew similar lines. Major divisions also appeared between the region's minorities and white population when asked about safety and race relations. Overall, 18 percent of respondents say race rela- tions are very good in their community, 45 percent say somewhat good, 20 percent say somewhat bad and 14 percent say very bad. Among white residents, 20 percent said very good while only 8 percent of African- American respondents thought that and 12 percent of Hispanics. Similar differences were found in perceptions of housing discrimination, the isolation of recent fatal police shootings of African- Americans and race rela- tions over the last 20 years. Growth inside, outside Milwaukee After poll data was pre- sented, Barrett spoke mostly about Milwaukee's poor neighborhoods and poten- tial workforce that could fill gaps in suburban counties with worker shortages through improved trans- portation and more afford- able housing in Waukesha County communities. Barrett used his speech as an appeal to lawmakers in Madison who recently upheld their shared revenue mandate that keeps Milwaukee and other cities in Wisconsin from creating new paths of revenue. Farrow took a different approach by talking about future technology like autonomous cars and buses and artificial intelligence that can be used to connect the five-county region 10 years from now. Farrow stressed that improved transportation is needed for the region to fully benefit from the Foxconn factory and how the region must be sensitive to the needs of younger genera- tions when planning for the future because they will be coming into prime working age over the next decade. Email: hweikel@conleynet.com Region: Connections in five counties studied for better understanding, cooperation continued from Page 1 By HANNAH WEIKEL Conley News Service MILWAUKEE — Though there are still negotiations and a major construction project left standing between Waukesha and water from Lake Michigan, a new regional poll released Tuesday shows public approval for the plan isn't that big of an issue, with the majority of residents in the five-county Milwaukee metro area supporting the plan. According to a new poll conducted by Marquette University's Milwaukee Area Project, 63 percent of residents of a sample living in Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Racine and Milwaukee counties are sup- portive of Waukesha's use of Great Lakes water as an alternative to ground water that is contaminated with naturally occurring radium. Twenty-four percent of regional residents still oppose the plan. Waukesha residents showed the most support with 78 percent in favor and 11 percent opposing the proj- ect. The project also saw majority support in the city of Milwaukee with 54 per- cent and in Racine County at 57 percent. The findings are hearten- ing for Waukesha officials involved in the project because Racine and Milwaukee have long voiced opposition to the plan to use Great Lakes water, which will come from either Milwaukee or Oak Creek and pipe treated wastewater into the Root River that emp- ties back into the lake through Racine. Racine's former Mayor John Dickert at one point even compared his city to "Waukesha's toi- let." It's hard to pinpoint what led to the strong showing of regional support, said Waukesha County Supervisor and former Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson, because a poll com- parable to Marquette University's hasn't been done before. Waukesha's Water Utility launched a public informa- tion campaign called the Great Water Alliance that has held educational ses- sions across the region, including those municipali- ties that will be most impact- ed by the water pipeline like Franklin and New Berlin. Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said the region is showing more support for the project as people learn more about it. "I believe that people have a better understanding of what Waukesha is doing in that we are taking water from Lake Michigan and returning it cleaner than it was," Reilly said. "That mes- sage has gotten through that we aren't creating a prob- lem, but doing something that's environmentally sound." Waukesha Water Utility Manager Dan Duchniak said there was another group that did a survey look- ing at opinions in the city of Waukesha a number of years ago that found support there, but nothing has been conducted regionally. "I was very surprised at (the new poll's) results because the water issue is a very scientific and fact- based topic," Duchniak said. He said the poll data shows the success of the push by Waukesha's elected officials to focus time and money on education and public outreach efforts. "I don't think we can stop and be happy with ourselves here. We have to continue that education process and be transparent to the pub- lic," Duchniak said. "It is a great opportunity to show that regional coop- eration works when this project goes off." Email: hweikel@conleynet.com 63%, including majority of respondents in Racine and Milwaukee, approve of project "I believe that people have a better understanding of what Waukesha is doing in that we are taking water from lake Michigan and returning it cleaner than it was." — Shawn Reilly Waukesha mayor MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Board is considering a proposal that would empower the county's lawyers to select outside legal counsel and prepare for possible lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufac- turers whose practices con- tribute to the opioid epidem- ic within Milwaukee County. "In addition to the tragic loss of life that is increasing at an alarming rate, the opi- oid epidemic has also left Milwaukee County with potentially millions of dol- lars in unexpected costs," said Peggy A. West, Finance Committee chairwoman. Corporation Counsel Margaret Daun's proposal specifies that outside coun- sel would only be compensat- ed if Milwaukee County receives a financial benefit as a result of any claims made against a company. Poll shows regional support for Waukesha's water plan County considers suing opioid makers

• Cover