Brookfield Straws in the Wind on Doylet Railroad

From a Mayoral candidates' forum for the City of Brookfield. Frankly, I don't think these guys get it, and City residents should be paying attention.

All candidates said they would take a "wait-and-see" approach with a state and federal project that could be on the horizon - a high-speed passenger rail system that would connect the Twin Cities to Chicago via Madison and Milwaukee, and could include a station in Brookfield.

Speaker said he has not seen any proposals from the state or federal government, but said funding levels "are going to be a big key."

Marcello agreed, saying: "I can't say that I'm for it or against it without knowing what the financials are."

Ponto said building a station in Brookfield would be a plus for the city, if it "doesn't place a significant burden on the Brookfield taxpayer."

Schellinger supports a station, but is skeptical about its prospects, given the deficits facing state and federal governments. "I don't know if this is something that will ever get done," he said.

Very interesting stuff. It doesn't surprise me that Ponto openly supports planting (another) railroad station in Brookfield--he's a big-gummint kinda guy. And to a greater or lesser degree, each of these guys implies that the (In-the-)Doylet Railroad is a done deal.

What is more clear is that these men do not regard income taxes as "taxes." That is, the 'burden' and the 'financials' they seem to be looking at is limited to 'who pays for the infrastructure.'

My question: who pays for the train's operating deficit? (See, e.g., Amtrak.)

The answer: Brookfield residents will pay.

Next question: do Brookfield residents really want a Mayor who will lay down and make his constituents BOHICA to Doyle and Obama?