Why don't we worry more about necessary progress for Milton, like a new fire department or bringing more businesses to the area. I'm with Mr. Frazier on this, the last thing Milton should be considering right now is a taxi service.

"Subsidize" is a slippery slope. How are the calls going to be logged for audit purposes later in determining how much the cab company is compensated?

Is there a chance Rock County has a volunteer program already in place that could be better utilized/advertised? My in-laws stayed in their own home, but due to their advanced age they were eligible for a program that sent them a volunteer once a week for three hours. That volunteer would clean or run errands or take them to doctor appointments...whatever was needed. They lived in Burnett County, Wisconsin. Perhaps there is a similar program in Rock County.

Janesville should just annex Milton and the city bus service will take care of things.

You have no clue

You're right, miltonalum. Any elected official who is actually looking out for taxpayers is definitely "green."

Frazier seems a little "green" and desperate to make a name for himself, especially for someone who got in on a whim because there was nobody running.

Thank you Mr. Frazier for not blindly following!

This is Milton Alderman Brett Frazier. Carrisford, I think you're on the right track with you previous post- this is Milton and surely we can figure out how to help our friends and neighbors get to the grocery store and the doctor's office for less than $105,000. Stacy Vogel's story (link available in above) highlights perfectly the questions that I have with the program being proposed. I have serious doubts about the estimated ridership- numbers that, if wrong, could seriously affect the city's cost on this program. It's also important to note that this cost would almost certainly go up in subsequent years...if we provide seniors a ride-share, but also raise their property taxes to pay for it...have we really accomplished anything? The reality is that the 2010 budget, with all the proposed spending, is not at all realistic in my opinion. There will need to be serious cuts to the proposed spending and the taxi service should be the first among those cuts. There simply has to be a better way without creating an entirely new city service...a service that would have a very limited number of citizens utilizing it.

We've got a great community and there are many of us willing to help those who need it...I'm confident that we can meet the needs of our senior citizens for a heck of a lot less than $105,000.

Yeah, sure. Why not? (sarcasm)

Look at medicare D too.

Government messes everything up. Look at amtrak after 40 years.

There is already precedent for this type of service (Medicaid pays for trips to the doctor), but I think Milton can do better than that. Sure, Mrs. Allen had money, but she just learned to ask for help when she needed it. Maybe a better solution is to study who would use the service and then rideshare with volunteers or (worst-case) charter a school bus to take a group from the senior center to Woodman's, the mall, etc. once or twice a week. Some seniors could pay a fare and those who can't afford it could be subsidized by donations (maybe the seniors with more money could "adopt" another rider even). It's Milton and people there have always found ways to help themselves. I'd hate to think that system would break down now.

No!..... Milton should not subsidize a taxi service. If people want a taxi service private enterprise will fill the need. This is just another liberal "feel good" pie in the sky idea most likely proposed by some left wing nut.

Milton to start a subsidized taxi service? WTF?

What idiot comes up with these schemes?
If this is approved it better be "sink or swim" on its own merit scenario.

No way, government should stay out of it.