Editorial
Estabrook Dam
There is a looming problem for all Milwaukee County taxpayers on the horizon – the rebuilding of the Estabrook Dam.
The Estabrook Dam was built in 1937 to create a recreational area in Lincoln Park. Since then, the dam, located on the edge of Milwaukee, Glendale, and Shorewood, has deteriorated to the point that it was declared a public nuisance by a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge.
Because of its negative environmental impact, the Department of Natural Resources has recommended its removal.
Environmental groups and scientists are in agreement that removing the dam will improve the quality of the Milwaukee River, provide more fishing opportunities and help restore the natural ecosystem.
Rather than removing the dam and restoring the natural habit, the Milwaukee County Board of supervisors has chosen a more costly direction.
It will cost taxpayers more than $5 million to repair the dam and even more to maintain it.
This is a dam that serves no purpose other than to create a small private lake for a handful of homeowners that live along the Milwaukee River in Glendale.
The idea that Milwaukee County taxpayers should pay millions of dollars to repair the dam is outrageous.
Why should we have to pay to create an artificial lake for a handful of homeowners in Glendale instead of using that money to benefit the entire community?
This attitude is the essence of privilege. The Milwaukee County Board must revisit and reverse this decision and do what’s right for the entire community.
We are told all the time that our government doesn’t have the money to pay for the services we need.
We see our schools cut, our healthcare cut, every service we care about seems to get cut.
But they can find $5 million to preserve a small private lake for a few suburban homeowners? Is this the best use of taxpayer dollars?
Our elected officials have a responsibility to us to spend our tax dollars wisely.
We need to make sure they know you are watching what they do.
Don’t let the voices of a few homeowners who want their own personal lake drown yours out.
Contact your County Supervisor and ask them to support removal of Estabrook Dam.