Ramp it up, CEOs tell Milwaukee 7

Part of Milwaukee's culture is the perennial cry that some something needs to be done to get Milwaukee moving in the right direction. Perhaps the local history museum could have "through the decades" exhibits: Recent Shocking Murders Show Something Needs To Be Done! Dropout Rates Show Something Needs To Be Done! Loss Of Businesses Shows Something Needs To Be Done! With your paid admission you'd get a replica Milwaukee! Talk It Up! button.

This article by John Schmid in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tells of a likely future item for the business climate exhibit, the recent meeting of the Milwaukee 7 (M-7), a committee set up to encourage business development in the metropolitan area.

In the middle of a quarterly M-7 meeting, amid a plastic-fork breakfast, Zore [Edward Zore, chief executive of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.] spoke graciously about the region's quality of life before making a more chilling point: that his company, the area's largest private employer, would bypass Milwaukee today if it were choosing to relocate from elsewhere.

Might make a nice diorama. They can be wearing "Milwaukee! Ramp It Up!" buttons.

P.S. Is this a Milwaukee promo, or do you have to be born here to appreciate it?

P.P.S. Now that businesses will be pouring in, they should have their employees look carefully when deciding where to live. For example,

"Legally, a homeowner cannot even change a faucet without a permit, because you are exposing yourself to the water system, or touch the wires for a new light fixture," says Todd Weiler, public information and training coordinator for the City of Milwaukee's Department of Neighborhood Services.